Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that if talks are held between Pakistan and India, three key issues would be on the agenda.
Asif told Geo News that the dialogue would focus on Kashmir, terrorism, and water-related concerns.
He noted that terrorism has been ongoing for the past 20 to 30 years.
The minister added that this is a golden opportunity for both India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Asif stated, “There are three major points: Kashmir, terrorism, and water. These are longstanding issues over the past 76 years and must be addressed. Pakistan is the biggest victim of terrorism. This is a golden chance for both countries to resolve the issue of terrorism. On Kashmir, this is a historic opportunity. Trump has raised the Kashmir issue, which marks another breakthrough. He has said that Kashmir must also be included in discussions.”
Khawaja Asif emphasised that almost all wars between India and Pakistan have been over Kashmir.
“The conflict from two days ago was also because of Kashmir. Modi tried to push the region into a living hell, but by Allah’s grace we were saved. Our armed forces stood like an iron wall. These issues must now be settled,” he said.
The defence minister called it a cruel irony that the country which has suffered the most from terrorism is being blamed and attacked for it.
On the water dispute, he said the issue had already been settled under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which cannot be suspended.
Asif added, “The way we responded is evidence of our preparation. The strong response we gave has left them licking their wounds. Modi is being criticised in the Indian parliament, their media and military briefings reflect their pain. This is also a diplomatic win for us. Apart from Israel, no one stands with India. If India tries again, the whole world will stand with Pakistan. Pakistan has demonstrated restraint and military strength. In our 76-year history, our forces have not achieved such a major victory as they did this time.”
Pakistan-India ceasefire
Pakistan and India agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire on Saturday following days of intense military exchanges that raised fears of a full-scale conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The ceasefire came after missile strikes, drone incursions, and retaliatory operations across the border.
Tensions flared after a deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), that left 26 civilians dead. India blamed Pakistan-based elements without providing evidence; Islamabad rejected the claim.
India responded by closing the Wagah border, revoking Pakistani visas, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty—moves Pakistan labelled as an “act of war.”
By May 6–7, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, claiming to have downed five Indian jets, including Rafales, and intercepted 77 Israeli-origin Harop drones.
The US played a central role in facilitating backchannel diplomacy. Secretary Rubio and Vice President JD Vance held talks with senior leaders from both countries, including PMs Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi, as well as top defence and intelligence officials.
Following Trump’s announcement, both countries suspended military activity across land, air, and sea, though allegations of ceasefire breach were also reported from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).
