Nawaz Sharif Urges Diplomatic Approach as India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate
Amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reportedly urged the current leadership in Islamabad to pursue a path of diplomatic resolution rather than military escalation.
In retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, India is believed to have carried out precision strikes on terrorist camps across the border in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan has allegedly launched a series of drone attacks targeting Indian border states, significantly heightening tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Against this volatile backdrop, Nawaz Sharif, leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and elder brother of the incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is said to have advised caution. According to local media reports, Nawaz has been actively advocating for restraint and diplomatic engagement, warning against aggressive military action that could further destabilize the region.
A high-level security meeting convened two days ago at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad brought together top military officials, key government figures, and Nawaz Sharif himself. Although he holds no formal government position, Nawaz attended the meeting in his capacity as PML-N party president. During the session, he is believed to have emphasized the importance of leveraging all available diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation with India.
Sources indicate that Nawaz Sharif recently returned from London, reportedly with the intention of personally intervening to reduce tensions and support efforts toward peace. He has previously been known for advocating improved India-Pakistan relations during his premierships, including his controversial stance during the Kargil conflict in 1999, which many believe shaped his long-term views on regional diplomacy.
Following the Pahalgam incident, Shehbaz Sharif reportedly briefed Nawaz on the government’s policy responses and ongoing military considerations. Nawaz, in turn, reiterated his recommendation that Pakistan should not adopt an aggressive posture, and instead focus on re-establishing dialogue with India through diplomatic and backchannel efforts.
As cross-border hostilities threaten to further escalate, Nawaz Sharif’s call for diplomacy is being closely watched both within Pakistan and internationally. Observers note that his re-emergence in the political spotlight could influence the trajectory of Pakistan’s approach to India, particularly if his efforts succeed in steering the leadership toward de-escalation and conflict prevention.
