India and Pakistan Were Inches from Disaster — Sharif Tells All

In an unprecedented and candid disclosure, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently revealed how dangerously close India and Pakistan came to a full-scale war. For the first time, Sharif acknowledged that India’s airstrikes had successfully targeted a major Pakistani military base, causing significant alarm within Pakistan’s top military leadership. This revelation exposes a moment of severe crisis that could have escalated into devastating conflict, but was narrowly averted. Sharif’s admission signals a potential shift toward openness and dialogue, reflecting the immense internal and external pressures both countries currently face.



The focal point of Sharif’s disclosure was the Indian air raid on the Noor Khan Airbase, located near Islamabad. While India had previously implied such operations following the 2019 Pulwama attack, Pakistan had publicly downplayed the extent of the damage caused. Sharif’s admission confirms that Indian missiles did indeed hit the base, a crucial military installation, which triggered a state of panic within Pakistan’s military command. Sharif revealed that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir made what he termed a “panic call” in response to the attack, underscoring just how precarious the situation became. “We were mere inches from catastrophe,” Sharif stated, highlighting the real threat of a large-scale military escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.



Sharif’s account offers rare insight into the crisis management within Pakistan’s security establishment. His acknowledgement of military panic contradicts Pakistan’s usual portrayal of strength and control. This episode was not just a military challenge but also a political one, emphasizing the fragility of peace in South Asia. The revelation serves as a stark reminder of the persistent volatility between India and Pakistan, whose relations are marred by decades of hostility, mutual suspicion, and several wars.



Following his startling revelations, Prime Minister Sharif has reiterated the urgent need for dialogue between India and Pakistan. He stressed that continued hostility harms both nations and called upon leaders on both sides to "put aside their differences" and pursue lasting peace. “We cannot afford another war,” Sharif emphasized. “India and Pakistan must focus on cooperation and dialogue rather than confrontation. Our people deserve peace, not conflict.” Sharif also highlighted the heavy economic burden of conflict, suggesting that funds currently allocated to defense could instead support social welfare, infrastructure development, and healthcare initiatives.



Sharif’s candidness marks a significant departure from the conventional narrative maintained by Pakistan’s civilian leadership, which typically echoes the military’s more aggressive stance toward India. His willingness to openly admit the success of Indian airstrikes and the ensuing military panic reflects Pakistan’s internal challenges, including a fragile economy plagued by inflation, currency instability, and mounting debt. For Sharif, achieving peace with India appears critical not only for regional stability but also for Pakistan’s economic survival. This openness is likely influenced by both domestic imperatives and international diplomatic pressures from key stakeholders such as the United States and China, who seek to reduce tensions in South Asia.



As of now, India has not issued an official response to Sharif’s revelations or his renewed peace overtures. New Delhi continues to maintain that any meaningful dialogue must be preceded by Pakistan taking tangible actions against terrorist groups operating on its soil. Sharif’s admission presents a complex challenge for India. While it validates Indian military claims regarding the precision of their strikes, it also offers a diplomatic opening for renewed engagement. Whether India views this as a genuine step toward peace or as political posturing remains to be seen.



Despite Sharif’s conciliatory tone, significant barriers to lasting peace remain. Anti-India sentiment remains deeply entrenched within Pakistan’s political and military institutions, which retain significant influence over national security policies. Both nations also face upcoming elections and internal political pressures that may limit their leaders’ willingness to pursue sensitive peace negotiations. Public skepticism on both sides, fueled by years of conflict and distrust, adds further complexity. Nonetheless, Sharif’s admission of how close the two countries were to war serves as a sobering reminder of the risks at stake and the urgent need for continued dialogue to avoid future crises.


Shehbaz Sharif’s revelations are a wake-up call for both India and Pakistan. The longstanding animosity between the two nations still brings them dangerously close to conflict. By sharing the details of the missile strike on Noor Khan Airbase and the panic that ensued, Sharif is urging both countries to reconsider their trajectory. If this moment of near-disaster can be transformed into a catalyst for honest talks and concrete peace-building measures, it could mark the beginning of a new era in South Asian diplomacy—one where dialogue and mutual understanding prevail over confrontation and discord.

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