Pakistan Open to Easing Tensions if India De-escalates: Defence Minister Asif

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan is prepared to "wrap up" or end hostilities with India if New Delhi decides to stand down from further military action. Asif made it clear that Pakistan does not want war and will not initiate conflict, but will retaliate if attacked.

 His remarks were made after India launched missile attacks on nine terror-targeted locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

Asif told Bloomberg Television, "We have been indicating all along in the past two weeks that we'll never do anything aggressive against India. But if we are attacked, then we'll react. 

If India shows pragmatism, then we will certainly close this tension." He also made it clear that, currently, no diplomatic negotiations are on the cards between the two nations.

Pakistan's proposal to back down is being viewed as a diplomatic opportunity, but experts warn that there is still high mistrust and the situation is volatile, particularly with both countries on high military alert following the recent attacks.