Pakistan welcomes Trump’s offer to mediate Kashmir issue

Pakistan on Sunday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, which Islamabad described as a longstanding dispute with serious implications for peace and security in South Asia and beyond.

Earlier in the day, President Trump said he looked forward to working with both countries to find a resolution to the Kashmir conflict, which he referred to as ongoing for “a thousand years”. His remarks came a day after he announced that the US had brokered a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

Appreciating what it described as the “constructive role played by the United States” in the ceasefire talks, the Pakistan government in a statement, “We also appreciate President Trump’s expressed willingness to support efforts aimed at the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute – a longstanding issue that has serious implications for peace and security in South Asia and beyond”.

Islamabad further stressed that the government “reaffirms that any just and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute must be in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and must ensure the realisation of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, including their inalienable right to self-determination”.

In a social media post, President Trump praised Pakistan for agreeing to the ceasefire, calling it a “historic and heroic decision,” and expressed pride in the United States’ role in facilitating the agreement. Further, he said,”Additionally, I will work with you both to see if, after a “thousand years,” a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir. God Bless the leadership of India and Pakistan on a job well done!!!”.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Trump “for his pathbreaking leadership and commitment to global peace and for his most valuable offer to play a greater role in bringing lasting peace to South Asia”.

“For decades, Pakistan and the U.S. have been partners who worked together closely to protect and promote our mutual interests as well as for peace and security in critical parts of the world. I am confident that in President Donald Trump, Pakistan has found a great partner who can reinvigorate our strategic partnership and strengthen Pakistan-U.S. ties, not only in trade and investment but in all other areas of cooperation,” he tweeted.

In his first reaction on Saturday following the de-escalation agreement between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he believes broader issues between the two countries — including Kashmir, water sharing, and other contentious matters — must also be addressed.

In a surprise development, India and Pakistan on Sunday reached an agreement to halt further escalation between the two nations, following heightened tensions triggered by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks, India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, and subsequent provocations by Pakistan through drone strikes.

However, within hours of the announcement, the Pakistan Army violated the agreement by continuing drone attacks and shelling along the Line of Control and International Border on Saturday night. India lodged a strong protest and urged Islamabad to act responsibly.

Responding to India’s charges of a ceasefire violation, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Pakistan remains committed to faithful implementation of ceasefire between Pakistan and India.”

“Notwithstanding the violations being committed by India in some areas, our forces are handling the situation with responsibility and restraint. We believe that any issues in smooth implementation of the ceasefire should be addressed through communication at appropriate levels. The troops on ground should also exercise restraint,” the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan border, which had witnessed intense military activity and shelling in recent days, remained calm since Saturday night, following the truce.

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