Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday dismissed any possibility of a nuclear exchange with India during the recent military confrontation, asserting that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is intended for peaceful purposes and national defence only.
Addressing a gathering of Pakistani students in Islamabad, Sharif reflected on the intense four-day conflict with India, during which he confirmed that 55 Pakistani nationals were killed in Indian strikes. “Pakistan responded with full might,” he said, referring to the military retaliation that followed the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor.
The Indian military offensive, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Operation Sindoor marked one of the most significant Indian cross-border strikes since the 2019 Balakot operation.
When questioned about the risk of nuclear escalation, Sharif reiterated that Pakistan’s nuclear programme is designed purely for deterrence. “Our nuclear capability is not for aggression. It is solely for peaceful activities and the self-defence of our nation,” he stated.
His comments came amid heightened global scrutiny, with many international observers concerned about the possibility of a nuclear flashpoint in South Asia. However, Pakistani officials have repeatedly emphasized their adherence to a no-first-use posture, even as India maintains strategic ambiguity.
Sharif’s remarks also appeared aimed at calming domestic and international nerves, as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the cross-border hostilities and the political fallout that followed.
