India-Pakistan Ceasefire Extended to May 18 Amid Rising Tensions, Confirms Pakistan’s Deputy PM

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed that the current ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan will remain in effect only until May 18, raising concerns about a potential escalation in hostilities after that date.

According to a report by Geo TV, Dar informed Parliament that the extension was the result of a hotline conversation held on May 14 between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both nations. The ongoing coordination between military officials, he indicated, is a precursor to potential political negotiations aimed at resolving broader issues.

“The ceasefire was first in place until the 10th, then extended to the 12th, then the 14th, and now to the 18th,” Dar said in Parliament. “Eventually, this will transition to dialogue. For now, it’s military-to-military communication, but political talks will follow, and all outstanding matters will be addressed there.”

The ceasefire, which was initially agreed upon on May 10, has seen a series of short-term extensions: first to May 12, then to May 14, and most recently to May 18. However, there is growing unease over what might follow after the latest extension expires.

The already fragile relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have further deteriorated in the wake of the recent attack in Pahalgam. In response, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, intensifying diplomatic and security concerns.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the inauguration of the Honduras embassy in New Delhi, reiterated that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan provides credible assurances that cross-border terrorism will cease permanently. “It is clear who wanted the firing to stop,” he said, adding, “We achieved our objectives by eliminating terrorist infrastructure.”

With no guarantee of a continued ceasefire beyond May 18 and political dialogues still pending, the situation remains volatile, drawing attention across the region.