Former National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has strongly criticised India’s handling of the Pahalgam incident, calling its delayed evidence “AI-manufactured” and devoid of credibility.

Speaking in an interview with veteran journalist Iftikhar Ahmed, Yusuf said the 24-48 hour window to present credible proof had passed and no one would believe evidence presented after such a delay.

He emphasized that no country, not even the United States, endorsed India’s narrative after the Pahalgam attack. “In 2019, India assumed the world stood with them. That illusion is over,” he said. He questioned whether any attack could have occurred in Indian-administered Kashmir without local support, sarcastically asking if Pakistani attackers had “landed there by plane.”

Yusuf warned against the rising nuclear rhetoric from India, saying such talk reflects a “disturbed mindset.” “No country claiming a ‘No First Use’ policy has stuck with it in a crisis,” he said, urging Indian military leadership to act rationally instead of following Hindutva-driven political commands.

Highlighting the pattern of escalation by India, Yusuf said its “attack-blame-threaten” playbook was evident again, just as in 2001, 2002, and 2019. He criticized India’s attempts to present selective Pakistani statements, like Khawaja Asif’s, at the UN to justify aggression.

He also flagged domestic gaps, saying Pakistan lacks a strategic thinking unit within the federal government, which is essential for long-term planning.

Addressing media engagement, Yusuf said international interviews should be conducted by trained and vetted representatives, not individuals seeking personal fame. He lamented Pakistan’s struggle to gain consistent global traction and stressed the need for economic strength to ensure national resilience.

Regarding peace, Yusuf reiterated that "crisis is a choice." He said while India has historically used conflict for political gains, reconciliation remains unlikely under Modi's government, whose strategy has been to isolate Pakistan. Yet, he expressed hope for regional economic cooperation if mutual respect and internal stability in areas like Balochistan are prioritized.

Yusuf concluded by urging the nation to be prepared for any aggression, while calling on leadership to focus on strategic clarity, economic resilience, and diplomatic maturity.