"Ready for war, ready for peace" — Pakistan PM warns India

In a fiery speech, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a direct warning to India, declaring that Pakistan is prepared for both war and peace. Addressing soldiers at the Pasrur military cantonment on the night of May 14, he stated that it is now up to India to decide which path it wants to pursue—conflict or dialogue.

Prime Minister Shehbaz claimed that the Pakistani army had shattered the pride of India’s multi-billion-dollar military arsenal. For a long time, India believed that Pakistan lagged far behind in conventional warfare. However, the performance and technological capabilities of Pakistani forces have proven that the country is not only ready for conventional war but is equally equipped in modern warfare, he asserted.

Referring to recent border clashes, Shehbaz mentioned the incident in Pahalgam, saying that Pakistan had offered India a joint investigation and pledged full cooperation. However, instead of accepting the proposal, India launched attacks under the cover of darkness. In response, Pakistan delivered an appropriate reply, he claimed.

Issuing a stern warning, the Prime Minister said any attempt by India to cut off Pakistan’s water flow would be considered a “red line.” “Water is our right, and our brave military will fight to protect that right,” he said. He further alleged that India had carried out attacks in the Neelum-Jhelum region, which is a major source of Pakistan’s water, calling it a serious provocation.

On the Kashmir issue, Shehbaz reiterated that the conflict must be resolved based on United Nations resolutions. He emphasized that trade talks cannot happen in isolation and must be part of a broader framework that includes a resolution to the Kashmir issue. Pakistan will not agree to standalone trade negotiations, he added.

This speech makes it clear that Pakistan is no longer taking a reactive stance. Instead, it is actively putting pressure on India to choose between peace and war. With ongoing tensions over Kashmir, water rights, and cross-border skirmishes, the situation has once again put regional stability in South Asia at serious risk.