United Nations: Although Kashmir has often been referred to as a "nuclear flashpoint", Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasised that "we should not contemplate a situation like that," citing the responsibility of both Pakistan and India.
During a news conference on Friday, Ahmad reiterated Pakistan's stance, stating, "Kashmir is often termed as a 'nuclear flashpoint', but I believe that, you know, Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapon state. I assume that India also exhibits that same kind of responsibility, and we should not contemplate, you know, a situation that would move in that direction."
However, he did not deny Pakistan's position on the no-first-use nuclear policy.
Ahmad faced repeated questions regarding the nuclear factor in a potential confrontation between the two neighbouring countries. Initially, he responded, "Pakistan is a responsible member of the international community. (How) we are responding to this situation that has evolved is also reflective of a responsible member state."
When pressed further on the issue, he stated that he "deliberately did not mention" the nuclear factor, reasoning that both nations "exhibit the same kind of responsibility".
Pressed again over Islamabad's position on no-first-use of nuclear weapons, he evaded giving a straight answer.
"I mean, it is stated policy, I mean Pakistan's policy on nuclear disarmament and all the related issues are all in the public realm. It is very well known."
His reluctance is because Pakistan has not adopted the policy of not being the first to use a nuclear weapon – a public position – that gives it the option to use it first.
India, on the other hand, declared a no-first-use policy.
A reporter asked Ahmad about the situation on the western border with Afghanistan and the Balochistan conflict and how they would affect a possible conflict with India.
He said, "I don't believe that that's going to have an impact in terms of our readiness and preparedness to counter anything that comes across the Line of Control in Kashmir."
"The Western borders are under total control," he said.
"There are some counterterrorism and enforcement operations and law enforcement operations that are going on there," he added.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have experienced repeated clashes along their border, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of providing refuge to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has conducted cross-border attacks.
Additionally, Pakistan is grappling with an insurgency led by Balochi separatists seeking independence.
Ahmad refuted claims that "dogfights"—aerial combats—had taken place, as reported by a journalist.
"There were some reports about some podcopters or drones, you know, shot down or something," he stated but clarified that no aerial combat had occurred.
He further remarked, "If the situation deteriorates, and some, you know, some kind of 'kinetic action' comes into play, this kind of a situation, a scenario, is very much possible."