- Pakistan must respond strongly to any act of aggression: PM.
- Peace should not be confused with weakness, says Zardari.
- “Armed forces fully equipped, trained and prepared for threats. »
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have issued strong statements reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty, territory and people following intensifying cross-border clashes with Afghan Taliban forces.
These remarks from the country’s top leaders come amid clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, as Pakistani forces have carried out multiple counterattacks in response to unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban forces.
Security sources said the strikes targeted militant positions, key command posts and ammunition depots, while inflicting heavy losses on the insurgents.
In a statement issued on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz said there would be no compromise on the country’s defense and any act of aggression would be met with a firm and appropriate response. He stressed that the people and armed forces of Pakistan remain fully prepared to protect the security and territorial integrity of the nation.
Highlighting the professional capabilities of the Army, the Prime Minister noted that under the leadership of Chief of Defense Force and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the armed forces are executing their duties with national spirit.
Equipped with advanced training and an effective defensive strategy, they are capable of dealing with internal and external threats, he said.
“Pakistan has always stood for peace, but our integrity will never be compromised,” added Shehbaz Sharif. “The armed forces will resolutely oppose any aggression and the entire nation will support them. »
President Zardari, in a social media post, echoed the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister, saying Pakistan will not compromise on peace or territorial integrity.
He warned that anyone who mistakes Pakistan’s quest for peace as weakness will face a strong, comprehensive and decisive response, stressing that no one will be beyond the reach of the country’s armed forces.
Asif says Taliban made Afghanistan a proxy for India
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had long hoped that peace would follow NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, hoping that the Taliban would focus on the well-being of Afghan citizens and regional stability.
Instead, the Taliban government has made Afghanistan a “proxy for India”, providing a base for global terrorists, denying the basic rights of the people and depriving women of the rights guaranteed to them by Islam, he pointed out.
He highlighted Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic and direct efforts to stabilize the region, emphasizing that the country has been a consistent supporter of Afghan welfare, hosting more than five million Afghan refugees for decades.
“Today, millions of Afghan citizens continue to earn their living in Pakistan,” he added.
The minister said Pakistan’s patience had reached its limits. “Our forces are now providing a decisive response,” he said.
“This is an open confrontation – the army is not coming from across the sea. We are your neighbors and know your limits,” he added.
He also stressed that no compromise would be made on national security, warning that Pakistan would continue to respond strongly to aggression.
Aggression against civilians is intolerable (Naqvi)
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the Afghan Taliban’s attempt to attack civilian populations, calling it a “horrible miscalculation” that would have serious consequences.
He said the attack, carried out under the cover of night, was cowardly and unacceptable, but the Pakistani armed forces responded strongly and decisively. The minister praised the professionalism, preparation and vigilance of the army in the defense of the country, stressing that the nation stands firmly alongside its troops.
Naqvi warned that the Taliban’s aggression was intolerable and that Pakistan would not tolerate any threats to its security or civilians. He reiterated that attempts to harm innocent populations would fail and perpetrators would face serious repercussions.
