RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to thwart any aggression, making it clear that Pakistan is ready for both war and peace — the choice lies with the adversary.
During a visit to the frontline at Pasrur Cantonment, Sialkot, the Prime Minister addressed officers and jawans, saying “It can be called an unthinkable victory. You can interpret it in various contexts, but we have avenged the 1971 war.” He added that the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan, backed by the nation’s unwavering resolve, had heroically defended the motherland and delivered a decisive blow to the enemy’s cowardly aggression.
According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Prime Minister visited Pasrur Cantonment to commend the exceptional bravery and professionalism of the troops during Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, part of Ma’arqa-i-Haq. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu were also present.
In a stern warning to India, Shehbaz said New Delhi must abandon any ideas of stopping Pakistan’s share of water. “If you even think about cutting off Pakistan’s water, that will be our red line. Blood and water cannot flow together,” he warned.
He emphasised that Pakistan’s brave soldiers would defend the country’s rights with their blood. “Do not even think of violating the Indus Waters Treaty,” he said. The Prime Minister directly questioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Who trained the Mukti Bahini in 1971? Who attacked the Samjhauta Express? Who staged the Jaffar Express attack? And who is Kulbhushan Jadhav?”
He said Pakistan does not need lectures from India on terrorism, asserting, “We have fought terrorism for years and will continue to eliminate it. Keep your sermons to yourself.”While reiterating Pakistan’s desire for peace, Shehbaz cautioned that this should not be mistaken for weakness. “We have exposed your hollow claims of regional supremacy,” he said. “We do not believe in vandalism; we want peace. Trade is possible, but only through comprehensive dialogue.”
He called for resolution of the Kashmir issue by UN Security Council resolutions. “Mr. Modi, we are ready and will respond appropriately. If you repeat your mistakes, we will destroy what remains,” he warned. “Let us not play with fire — make this region a home of peace.”The Prime Minister accused India of misleading its people on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty. He claimed that India had tried to sabotage Pakistan’s Neelum–Jhelum hydropower project. “Thankfully, the damage was limited. Had they succeeded in causing major harm, we would have retaliated by destroying India’s Baglihar Dam and other water reservoirs.
“We have shown remarkable restraint. India should value this patience and stop deceiving its people. Let it be clear — we are fully prepared for both peace and war” he remarked.
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