Amid intense cross-border hostilities and backchannel diplomatic efforts, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar officially confirmed that Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. In a tweet posted at 5:38 PM IST, Dar stated: “Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
This official acknowledgment comes shortly after US President Donald Trump declared a full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan, applauding both nations for “using common sense and great intelligence.” Trump’s announcement, made earlier on Friday evening, drew massive global attention and signaled a possible turning point in the tense standoff.
Adding to the momentum, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued a formal statement confirming the breakthrough. He noted that both countries had agreed to not only a ceasefire but also future talks at a neutral site, following discussions with Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, along with senior Indian and Pakistani defence and security officials.
However, Indian sources offered a slightly different account, stating that the ceasefire understanding was reached directly between the two countries. According to sources, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan initiated a call to his Indian counterpart on Friday afternoon, which led to the agreement to halt military action along the border.
The sources clarified that no other decision regarding talks on broader issues or meetings at a third-party location has been made as of now.
The ceasefire announcement follows days of intensified military engagement, including retaliatory strikes by India under “Operation Sindoor” and a spate of Pakistani drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military and civilian zones. The Indian Armed Forces had responded with precision strikes on Pakistani military bases, while also strongly rebutting Pakistan’s false claims about targeting Indian installations.
A crucial press briefing by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) is scheduled at 6 PM IST today, which is now expected to provide an official statement on the ceasefire and clarify India’s position in light of these developments.
