Pakistan’s PM Sharif Rejects Nuclear Escalation in Operation Sindoor

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has firmly dismissed the possibility of nuclear escalation during the recent Operation Sindoor conflict with India, asserting that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is intended solely for peaceful purposes and self-defense. Speaking to students in Islamabad on July 13, 2025, Sharif sought to ease global concerns amid heightened tensions. This article examines Sharif’s statements, the context of the conflict, and the broader implications for regional stability.

The four-day military standoff, sparked by a deadly April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, India, which killed 26 civilians, prompted India’s Operation Sindoor. On May 7, Indian forces struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including a Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur, resulting in 55 Pakistani deaths, according to Sharif’s address reported by Zee News. Pakistan responded with what Sharif described as “full might,” but he categorically rejected nuclear retaliation, stating, “Pakistan’s nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and national defence, not for aggression.” This followed earlier Pakistani statements, including a diplomat’s threat to use the “full spectrum of national power,” widely interpreted as a veiled nuclear warning, which India dismissed as “nuclear blackmail.”

Sharif’s remarks come amid strained Pakistan-India relations, exacerbated by India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), prompting Pakistan’s vow of retaliation. Yet, Sharif’s tone reflects a calculated effort to project restraint, likely to assuage international concerns about South Asia’s stability. His comments also addressed domestic rumors, denying speculation about President Asif Ali Zardari’s resignation or Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir’s presidential ambitions, calling them “malicious,” as noted by Oneindia News. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed this on X, condemning a “malicious campaign” against Pakistan’s leadership.

For Pakistan, maintaining a defensive nuclear posture is critical to its deterrence strategy, but Sharif’s assurances face skepticism given past rhetoric. As regional tensions simmer, his words signal an attempt to balance domestic pressures with global expectations, though the path to de-escalation remains fraught with challenges.

Disclaimer:

While this article provides a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s political stance and recent developments related to Operation Sindoor and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statements, some specific quotes, casualty figures, and timelines are based on available reports and may require further verification from official government sources and credible news outlets. Readers are encouraged to consult multiple sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.