Pakistan open to ‘neutral’ investigation on Kashmir attack: Premier

ISTANBUL

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that Islamabad is open to a “neutral” investigation on Tuesday's attack by unidentified gunmen in the Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, local broadcaster Geo News reported.

Sharif made the remarks while addressing a military parade during a ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sharif expressed concern over India’s “baseless allegations” following the Pahalgam incident, stating that the accusations were made “without credible investigation or verifiable evidence.

“Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent probe on Pahalgam attack,” Sharif said as the tensions between the two nuclear neighbors rose following the attack.

The prime minister also issued a stern warning against any attempts to stop or divert Pakistan’s water share under the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing that water is a "vital, national interest."

"I must mention that water is a vital, national interest of Pakistan -- a lifeline for our 240 million people. Let there be no doubt at all, that its availability would be safeguarded at all costs and under all circumstances," Sharif said.

New Delhi described the incident as a "terror attack" with "cross-border" links, blaming Pakistan for supporting it.

Islamabad, however, distanced itself from the attack, saying it was "concerned" and extended condolences to the victims' families.

New Delhi later unilaterally suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, under which the two neighbors regulate the water share of six rivers in the Indus Basin.

Pakistan responded harshly Thursday, saying there is no provision for unilaterally suspending the water-sharing agreement, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed in September 1960, warning that any attempt by India to divert or stop water to Pakistan would be considered an "act of war."

The two sides also suspended visas for each other’s citizens and expelled army advisors, while Islamabad closed its airspace to Indian airlines.