During his diplomatic visit to Turkey, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif made a revelation that has stirred global observers. Speaking at a public event attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Sharif disclosed the timeline of events around the Indo-Pak conflict escalation earlier this month.
Sharif said, “On the night of May 9 and 10, we decided to retaliate against India. Our plan was to launch an attack right after the Fajr (dawn) prayers, around 4:30 AM. Our forces were ready under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.” However, he acknowledged that the plan never materialized because “before we could strike, India had already hit us using BrahMos missiles, targeting multiple Pakistani provinces.”
The admission effectively confirmed India’s preemptive offensive in what was later termed as “Operation Sindoor,” a covert yet high-impact strike that reportedly left Pakistan's command structure reeling.
What further raised eyebrows was Shahbaz Sharif’s public display of Pakistan’s military leadership. In an unusual move, he interrupted his speech to introduce Field Marshal Munir and made him stand before the audience, describing him as “our military leader who was ready to lead the operation.” The gesture was interpreted by analysts as either a show of transparency or an attempt to deflect responsibility onto the armed forces.
Sharif's remarks come in the backdrop of strained relations between India and Pakistan following cross-border tensions and repeated ceasefire violations. India's swift and decisive action has been hailed domestically as a strategic win, while Sharif’s admission could potentially weaken Pakistan’s narrative on the global stage.
The episode is being closely watched by diplomatic circles, with speculations rising over the fallout this may have on regional stability and internal politics in Pakistan.
Reactions & Analysis:
Indian defence analysts see this as a major diplomatic and strategic victory.
Global powers are urging both nations to exercise restraint.
Critics in Pakistan have questioned the political wisdom behind Sharif’s public disclosure.
Tags: India-Pakistan Tensions, Shahbaz Sharif, BrahMos Missile, Operation Sindoor, Asim Munir, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ilham Aliyev, Indo-Pak Conflict 2025.
