Pakistan, India agreed to extend ceasefire until May 18, confirms Dar

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that Pakistan and India have agreed to extend the ceasefire until May 18.

Addressing the upper house of the Parliament, he provided a detailed timeline and rationale behind Pakistan’s actions during escalating tensions with India.

He said Pakistan did not request a ceasefire at any stage of the recent conflict.

Dar said that on May 10 at 8:15 am, US Senator Marco Rubio made the first call, to say that India was willing to observe a ceasefire. “I told him that if India is ready, then we are also prepared for a ceasefire. Following discussions, the ceasefire was extended first until May 12, then to May 14, and now extended further to May 18," he maintained.

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“We achieved victory through the bravery and valour of our armed forces,” Dar said. He confirmed that six Indian aircraft and one UAV were downed. “The Pakistan Air Force has become the uncontested ruler of the skies.”

He revealed that certain countries had warned of India striking back. “I replied clearly – if India punches, we will punch back too.”Dar said that India had suffered an estimated loss of $3billion, including the destruction of three Rafales, two MiGs, and one Su-30.