'India has 16 lakh troops, we have 6 lakh — no jazba can save us': Ex-Pak Air Force officer sounds alarm

The talks are expected to cover a wide range of bilateral and security issues as both nations step back from the brink following recent cross-border tensions.

Pakistan’s former Air Marshal Masood Akhtar has voiced deep concern over the escalating India-Pakistan conflict, admitting Pakistan is facing an alarming situation with limited options.

"What has happened here should rattle all of us. These are tough times for us, to which we have no answer as of now," Akhtar said, in an interview to Dawn, acknowledging the growing pressure on Pakistan's defence and diplomacy.

"India planned full-fledged attack on you (Pakistan) four times. They have an army of 16 lakh, you have just 6 lakh, no amount of jazba (passion) can save us," he added, hinting at Pakistan’s unpreparedness for prolonged confrontation.

Akhtar further claimed that diplomatic efforts by Arab nations and Iran have failed to sway India, adding that only intervention from major powers like the US, China, or Russia’s Vladimir Putin could de-escalate the situation. “If America, China and Putin don't exert pressure, the situation will worsen more and more,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said his country would consider de-escalation if India stopped further attacks. This came after India said it was committed to non-escalation if Pakistan reciprocated.

Stating that Pakistan is operating on the defensive, he said: "The action that the Pakistan civil military leadership has taken is proportionate. Many more actions can be taken, and we are ready for that, but this is the minimum action being taken just now, which will be continued for a while."

"The tamasha (circus) that India has staged over the last three days... we have no choice but to retaliate to India's military actions," Dar told Geo News and added that Pakistan will "not let India claim hegemony."

"This operation that we started today will all end in some way. It all depends on what India wants," he reiterated.

Tensions between India and Pakistan increased after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that had cross-border linkages.

Pakistan launched a fresh wave of drone attacks targeting 26 locations in India -- from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat -- for the second night on Friday, with the Indian defence ministry saying the enemy's attempts to hit vital installations, including airports and air bases, were successfully thwarted.

Early Saturday, Islamabad claimed that its three air bases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones.

India responded on Saturday to the Pakistani military's "provocative" and "escalatory" actions in a measured way and Islamabad is resorting to a wanton campaign of targeting innocent people and civilian infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in New Delhi.