Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will give a speech to the nation on Saturday, May 10, amid rising tensions with neighboring India. According to Geo TV, his address will be aired live on national television.
The situation between the two countries has become tense after recent military strikes. On Wednesday, India launched an attack on Pakistan. In response, Pakistan targeted at least three Indian military posts on Friday. The back-and-forth attacks have raised fears of a wider conflict.
In response to the growing crisis, the United States and the Group of Seven (G7) nations have called for calm. They urged both India and Pakistan to stop fighting and start talks. On Saturday morning, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Pakistan’s army chief. During the call, he offered to help mediate the situation.
Later, the G7 foreign ministers also issued a joint statement. They said the two countries must “lower tensions immediately” and “show maximum restraint.” The G7 warned that more military action could hurt peace and stability in the region. They also urged India and Pakistan to hold direct talks to solve the issue peacefully.
India’s military has blamed Pakistan for trying to make the situation worse. Indian officials said Pakistan is moving its troops closer to the front lines. They say this shows an “aggressive intent” and could lead to more trouble.
In a special press briefing on Saturday, Indian Army Colonel Sofia Qureshi said the Indian forces are ready. “Our military is on high alert,” she said. “We have responded to all threats and will continue to do so if needed. But we are not trying to raise tensions.”
Colonel Qureshi also said that Pakistan fired fast missiles at Indian air bases. She said the missiles were aimed at Udhampur, Pathankot, and Bathinda air bases on Friday night. However, the Indian officials did not share details about damage or casualties.
The press briefing was led by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Qureshi, and Indian Air Force Wing Commander Bhumika Singh. They repeated that India does not want the fight to get worse. But they also said the military is ready to defend the country.
This conflict is one of the most serious in recent years between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Both India and Pakistan have fought several wars in the past, and their border has remained tense for decades. Any new military action could spark a wider crisis in South Asia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address is expected to cover Pakistan’s official response and future steps. He is also likely to talk about the global reaction and the need for peace.
So far, Pakistan’s government has said it will defend itself if attacked. But it has also said it wants peace in the region. The Prime Minister’s speech is likely to be watched closely by the world.
As of now, both countries remain on high alert. International groups are urging both sides to avoid further strikes and to start dialogue. The world is watching, hoping the two sides will choose peace over war.