Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Faisal, has called for a resolution of the Kashmir issue amid escalating tensions between Bharat and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
In an interview with the BBC, Faisal made a series of provocative statements, warning that unresolved tensions over Kashmir could lead to further incidents. He made a ridiculous and misleading claim that Pakistan firmly stands with the Kashmiri people and accused Bharat of denying Pakistan’s support for their needs and aspirations.
Faisal’s statements included an indirect admission of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack. This follows the claim of responsibility made by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation and a reincarnation of ‘The Resistance Front’. The group has long-standing links with the Pakistani establishment, and its involvement directly implicates Pakistan in the attack.
Despite this, Faisal called for an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack. The demand stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s history of sheltering and supporting extremist groups that operate across the border.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the issue directly with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to condemn the Pahalgam violence. Faisal evaded questions about this exchange, instead repeating that Pakistan has condemned terrorism at various international forums, including the United Nations Security Council.
Bharat has responded decisively, banning all imports from Pakistan and imposing reciprocal airspace restrictions. These measures have disrupted commercial and cargo flights and placed additional pressure on Pakistan’s struggling economy.
