ISLAMABAD: Political leaders on Wednesday voiced their unflinching support for the government and armed forces of Pakistan in the face of Indian aggression over the past couple of days, which saw violation of Pakistani airspace by Indian jets and subsequent downing of Indian aircraft and capturing of a pilot.
Members of political parties also lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s offer for a dialogue with New Delhi to give a chance to peace between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal said, “The entire Pakistani nation is on one page. Wherever there would be a question of Pakistan’s freedom, sovereignty or integrity, there we all stand as one rising above all differences. With the same passion, the opposition offered its unconditional support to government in the Parliament and it is still offering and will continue to offer this support for the defence of Pakistan.
“I understand this that there is also a very important message in it that both countries are nuclear-capable states and neither can run down the other, but its price can be too high. So, we should move on the path of peace instead of war, but if Indian miscalculates Pakistan’s capability, and perhaps it has come to know that it cannot miscalculate the capability of the Pakistani forces and the nation, and it will have to pay the price for that.”
He further said: “So instead of acting in tit-for-tat mode and taking this confrontation towards escalation, India should wisely opt for the way of talks, but it should also not take our dialogue offer for our weakness at all, because if it again cast an evil eye on Pakistan, then the Pakistani nation will fully fight it.”
Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said, “Pakistan has never preferred any kind of aggression, nor does it prefer it now, but if the sovereignty of Pakistan will be challenged by anyone and if India thinks that it would take a free ride and they would be able to fulfill their hysteria to come here and carry out surgical strikes, then Pakistan will not allow this.”
He added, “We are standing by our forces, entire nation is standing by them and we will do anything for our defence.”
Qamar Zaman Kaira termed PM Khan’s offer to New Delhi for a dialogue and avoiding escalation “very calculated and appropriate”.
“However, it depends upon as to how seriously this offer is taken by them. Usually, logic does not make sense where might and extremism prevails,” he said.
The PPP leader expressed his wish that Indian authorities understand the need for de-escalation in the ongoing row.
He also stressed the need for international community to play its role so that this worrying situation may not take a dangerous turn.
Mushahid Hussain Syed said, “I understand that the entire Pakistani nation is proud of their armed forces for responding adequately and responsibly to yesterday’s aggression by India against Pakistan, which has conveyed a good and clear message to Modi and India that in case of aggression against Pakistan, entire Pakistani nation is united and it won’t let any damage to be done to Pakistan’s integrity.”
He added that it is the duty of world powers to bring the two sides to conference table and do not let the circumstances worsen any further.
JI chief Sirajul Haq maintained, “Today’s action has lifted the morale of the nation. We thank Allah Almighty and congratulate our falcons and Pak Army jawans. This action has shattered Modi’s arrogance and proven that Pakistan can defend itself.”
He said the root cause of the conflict is Indian occupation of Kashmir, and the international community is under obligation to step forth and play its role to take the region out of this situation.
