‘Not for aggression’: Shehbaz Sharif rules out nuclear escalation during India-Pakistan conflict

Shehbaz Sharif denies use of nuclear weapons during India-Pak conflict

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dismissed concerns over the possibility of a nuclear confrontation with India amid the recent tensions. He emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is intended solely for “peaceful purposes and self-defence”.

Sharif made the comment while addressing a group of Pakistani students in Islamabad, where he recalled the four-day military standoff during which 55 Pakistanis were killed in Indian strikes. He said Pakistan had responded “with full might” during the escalation.

“Pakistan’s nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and national defence, not for aggression," Sharif said.

The conflict began after a terror attack in Pahalgam, India, on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

As part of the operation, the Indian armed forces conducted strikes on May 7, hitting nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Bahawalpur, a known stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit.

Zardari’s resignation and Munir’s Presidency - Sharif dismisses rumors

Pakistan's PM also dismissed the rumors that  President Asif Ali Zardari may be forced to step down and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir aspired to assume the presidency, Sharif said such claims were “mere speculations”.

“Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing,” he mentioned in an interview with The News.