Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office has announce the military has been formally authorized to respond to India's strikes

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office has announce the military has been formally authorized to respond to India's strikes

Pakistan has authorized its military to respond to any further strikes by India, as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors continue to escalate. This decision comes in the wake of a series of ceasefire violations and retaliatory measures following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including a Nepalese tourist [2].

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that his country's response to the incident has been "responsible and measured," despite India's accusations linking Pakistan to the attack [2]. Sharif has also called for a neutral international investigation into the incident, but India has not yet responded to this offer [2].

In response to the ongoing tensions, Pakistan has conducted several missile tests, including the successful launch of the Fatah series surface-to-surface missile with a range of 120 km on May 5, 2025 [3]. This follows a similar test on May 3, 2025, of a missile with a range of 450 kilometers [3]. These tests have been interpreted as a show of force and a preparation for a potential attack by India.

The escalating tensions have also had economic implications for both countries. Moody's credit rating agency has warned that the standoff could have significant economic repercussions for Pakistan, potentially hindering its economic recovery and macroeconomic stability [3]. For India, higher military spending could negatively impact its fiscal consolidation and economic robustness [3].

Despite the rhetoric and punitive measures, Islamabad continues to press for an impartial inquiry into the Pahalgam attack. The Indian government has not officially responded to this offer. Both countries remain locked in a tense stalemate, with no signs of de-escalation in sight.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unprovoked-firing-by-pakistan-continues-for-seventh-straight-day-india-retaliates/articleshow/120781717.cms
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistans-reaction-to-india-was-responsible-and-measured-pm-shehbaz-sharif-seeks-neutral-investigation/articleshow/120863137.cms
[3] https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/05/05/747430/Pakistan-Tests-Second-Missile-Amid-India-Standoff