Malaysia PM expresses sympathy for Pakistan amid India tensions after Pahalgam attack

In the wake of the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed sympathies with Pakistan during a phone call with his counterpart Shehbaz Sharif. He acknowledged the ‘Difficult circumstances’ Pakistan is facing and called for an independent and transparent investigation into the attack. Ibrahim also expressed hope for swift de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and condemned all forms of violence.

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Notably, Ibrahim referred to Jammu and Kashmir as “Indian-administered Kashmir”, a term that previously drew criticism from the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP), which supports India’s stance. While positioning Malaysia as neutral, Ibrahim stated that the country would be open to playing a constructive role in maintaining regional peace due to its close ties with both India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly rejected any connection between Pakistan and the Pahalgam attack. He also raised concerns over India’s “Provocative behavior” following the incident. The terror group TRF, a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.