The chairman of the committee of chief staff (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, called for the urgent resolution of the cashmere dispute between Pakistan and India, warning that continuous tensions between the neighbors have threatened regional peace and security.
Representing Pakistan at the 22nd Shangri -La 2025 dialogue in Singapore, General Mirza underlined the need for active and effective – bilateral, regional and global – dialogue frameworks – to prevent conflicts rather than responding to them after climbing.
“The resolution of the cashmere dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council is essential for lasting peace in South Asia,” said General Mirza, describing the conflict as the “deep cause” of sustainable hostility between Pakistan and India.
The CJCSC criticized the recent actions of India concerning the management of water flow, accusing New Delhi of having tried to arm the shared water resources. “The use of India water as a weapon of war is a clear violation of international law,” he said.
“Any attempt to block or divert the waters of Pakistan will be considered as an act of war, in accordance with the policy of the National National Security Committee of Pakistan,” he warned. He reaffirmed that Pakistan was open to lasting peace with India, but such peace must be based on dignity, equality and mutual respect.
General Mirza expressed his concern about the absence of reliable crisis management structures, noting that failure to act early has often prevented the international community from intervening before tensions.
“The situation since the Pahalgam incident endorses regional development. We need mutual restraint, recognition of red lines and balance to ensure lasting peace,” he said. He called on the world powers to help restore a mechanism for formal dialogue between Pakistan and India, warning that the current vacuum increases the risk of unhappiness and climbing.
