Introduction: A Fragile Ceasefire Shattered
On the evening of May 10, a ceasefire between India and Pakistan took effect, halting military actions across land, air, and sea. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) initiated a call at 3:35 PM, leading to an agreement to cease hostilities by 5:00 PM. The announcement first surfaced through a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed the United States mediated overnight talks to secure a “full and immediate ceasefire.”
However, optimism quickly faded. Within hours, reports emerged of Pakistan violating the ceasefire, targeting civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC). These actions underscored a recurring question: Can Pakistan, with its history of supporting terrorism, be trusted to honor peace agreements? This article delves into the ceasefire’s collapse, Pakistan’s ties to terrorist organizations, and the devastating human cost of its actions.
The Ceasefire Agreement: A Glimmer of Hope
Diplomatic Breakthrough or Temporary Pause?
The ceasefire agreement was a rare diplomatic milestone. Both nations’ DGMOs agreed to halt all firing and military actions, raising hopes for de-escalation in a region plagued by decades of conflict. The U.S.’s mediation role, as highlighted by Trump, suggested international pressure to curb hostilities. For a moment, it seemed possible that both countries could prioritize peace over posturing.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Indian and international media outlets initially hailed the ceasefire as a step toward stability. However, Pakistani media remained cautious, reflecting the deep mistrust between the two nations. Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with mixed sentiments—some users expressed hope, while others predicted swift violations based on past patterns.
Ceasefire Violations: Pakistan’s Betrayal
Immediate Breaches Along the LoC
Mere hours after the ceasefire took effect, Pakistan allegedly resumed firing along the LoC, targeting civilian villages. Reports indicate unprovoked shelling and mortar attacks on Indian border towns, particularly in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. The attacks killed 16 civilians and injured 59, including 44 non-combatants. Among the victims were 12-year-old twins, Zain and Zoya, killed when a shell struck their home during the bombardment.
Eyewitness Accounts: The Human Toll
HarCharan Singh, a resident of Poonch, recounted the tragic loss of his friend Rizwan’s two children, aged 12 and 14, when a shell hit their vehicle. Such stories highlight the indiscriminate nature of Pakistan’s attacks, which violated international protocols prohibiting strikes on civilian infrastructure. These actions not only breached the ceasefire but also reinforced Pakistan’s reputation as a state that disregards humanitarian norms.
International Condemnation
The international community swiftly condemned Pakistan’s actions. Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswamy, presented photographic evidence of civilian casualties to global media, urging accountability. The United Nations and human rights organizations called for investigations into the violations, emphasizing the need to protect non-combatants.
Pakistan’s History of Supporting Terrorism
Operation Sindoor: India’s Response to Terror
The ceasefire violations followed India’s Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Launched in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, claimed by the Pakistan-based Terrorist Resistance Force (TRF)—a shadow group of Lashkar-e-Taiba—Operation Sindoor aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure. Indian officials emphasized that the strikes, based on credible intelligence, avoided civilian areas and focused solely on terrorist sites.
The targeted locations included:
- Muridke’s Markaz-e-Taiba: Headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist.
- Bahawalpur’s Markaz Subhan Allah: Base of Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by Masood Azhar, another UN-listed terrorist.
- Muzaffarabad’s Sadna Bilal Camp: A training ground for Lashkar and Jaish recruits, supported by Pakistan’s Special Forces.
- Sawai Nala Camp: Linked to the Pahalgam attack’s perpetrators.
These sites, identified by international intelligence, underscored Pakistan’s role as a hub for terrorist activities.
Pakistan’s Retaliation: Targeting Civilians
In retaliation, Pakistan shelled civilian villages along the LoC, a move Indian officials labeled as “cowardly.” The attacks on Poonch and other border areas demonstrated Pakistan’s willingness to escalate tensions rather than pursue peace. By targeting civilians, Pakistan violated the Geneva Conventions, further eroding its credibility on the global stage.
Pakistan’s Denial and Deflection
A Pattern of Denial
Pakistani officials have consistently denied involvement in terrorism, even when faced with overwhelming evidence. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif admitted to Pakistan’s past support for terrorist groups during the U.S.-led Afghan War but claimed such activities ceased. However, Asif’s assertion that Lashkar-e-Taiba no longer exists in Pakistan was debunked by intelligence reports and satellite imagery showing active terror camps.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor aptly described Pakistan as a “master of denial.” He cited examples like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, initially denied by Pakistan until a captured terrorist revealed the truth, and Osama bin Laden’s presence near a Pakistani military base, which Pakistan claimed ignorance of.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Pakistan’s Deceptions
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which monitors global money laundering and terror financing, has placed Pakistan on its grey list three times, most recently in June 2018. Pakistan promised reforms, leading to its removal from the list in October 2022. However, reports from 2024 reveal that Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Bahawalpur base doubled in size post-removal, indicating Pakistan’s failure to curb terror financing. Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts confirm ongoing recruitment and training at these sites, often with Pakistani military oversight.
The Role of Terrorist Organizations
Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Resurgence
Jaish-e-Mohammed, responsible for the 2019 Pulwama attack, has expanded its operations in Bahawalpur. Satellite images from Planet Labs show two active bases—Markaz Subhan Allah and Usman-o-Ali Mosque—used for indoctrination and training. These sites, located just 8 kilometers from a Pakistani military base, operate openly, contradicting Pakistan’s claims of cracking down on terrorism.
In 2022, Jaish-e-Mohammed acquired additional land in Bahawalpur, with construction accelerating after Pakistan’s FATF delisting. Reports indicate that Abdul Rauf, brother of Jaish leader Masood Azhar, oversees these expansions. His presence at a funeral for slain terrorists, attended by Pakistani military personnel, further implicates the state in supporting terrorism.
Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Narco-Terrorism
Lashkar-e-Taiba, formed in 1986 under Pakistan’s Islamization policies, has diversified into narco-terrorism. In 2021, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized 2,900 kilograms of heroin worth ₹21,000 crore at Mundra Port, linked to Lashkar’s drug trafficking network. The proceeds funded terror activities, aiming to destabilize India by targeting its youth.
Lashkar -related drug busts continued, with Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorist Squad seizing 70 kilograms of heroin worth ₹350 crore in 2022. These incidents highlight Lashkar’s strategy of using drug money to finance attacks, including the Pahalgam tourist shooting.
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Internal Threats
The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) poses a domestic threat, having killed over 80,000 Pakistanis in the past two decades. The 2014 Peshawar school attack, which claimed 132 children’s lives, remains a stark reminder of the TTP’s brutality. Pakistan’s failure to address internal terrorism exacerbates its instability, making it a breeding ground for extremist groups.
Pakistan’s Internal Struggles: A Nation in Crisis
Security Challenges
The 2024 Global Peace Index ranks Pakistan 140th out of 163 countries, reflecting its dire security situation. The Center for Research and Security Studies reported a 40% increase in terrorist attacks in 2024, with 905 incidents, including 444 Islamist attacks. These claimed 685 security personnel and 927 civilian lives, marking 2024 as Pakistan’s deadliest year in a decade.
Political Instability
Pakistan’s political landscape is equally tumultuous. No prime minister has completed a five-year term, with leaders facing assassinations, coups, or imprisonment. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently jailed, alleges torture and electoral fraud. This instability fuels public discontent and hampers governance, allowing terrorist groups to thrive.
Economic and Social Crises
Economic hardship exacerbates Pakistan’s woes. In March 2023, stampedes during food distribution in Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed 12 people, including women and children, highlighting widespread poverty. Such incidents evoke comparisons to the French Revolution’s “Flour Wars,” signaling potential for social upheaval if conditions persist.
International Implications and Accountability
IMF and Global Financial Support
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval of a $2.3 billion loan package for Pakistan has drawn criticism. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi labeled Pakistan a “threat to humanity” and called the IMF an “International Militant Fund” for supporting a state linked to terrorism. The involvement of the U.S., Germany, and Japan in approving the loan raises questions about international complicity.
The Need for FATF Action
Given the evidence of Pakistan’s ongoing terror financing, activists on X have urged the FATF (@FATFNews) to reinstate Pakistan on the grey list. Public campaigns, including sharing this article, can amplify pressure on global bodies to hold Pakistan accountable.
A Call to Action for Pakistan’s Citizens
Breaking the Cycle of Denial
Pakistan’s citizens must confront the reality of their government’s complicity in terrorism. Celebrities like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, with significant influence, should challenge the military’s support for terrorist groups and demand transparency. Grassroots movements, inspired by historical revolutions, could drive change if religious extremism is sidelined from politics.
Learning from History
The French Revolution, sparked by economic despair and social inequality, offers lessons for Pakistan. By prioritizing secular governance and accountability, Pakistanis can reclaim their nation from the grip of militancy and corruption.
Conclusion: Can Trust Be Restored?
The India-Pakistan ceasefire’s collapse underscores a harsh truth: Pakistan’s deep ties to terrorism make trust elusive. From ceasefire violations to state-sponsored terror camps, Pakistan’s actions speak louder than its denials. For peace to prevail, Pakistan must dismantle its terror infrastructure, honor international agreements, and prioritize its citizens’ welfare over military agendas.
India, focused on economic growth and technological advancement, seeks only to be left in peace. As Shashi Tharoor noted, India has no desire for Pakistan’s territory or resources—only an end to hostility. The burden lies with Pakistan to prove it can be a reliable neighbor. Until then, the question remains: Can Pakistan ever be trusted again?