QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the threats facing Pakistan are not confined to traditional battlegrounds. He firmly asserted that India will not be allowed to unilaterally revoke the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any misadventure by India would be met with a “crushing response.”
During his visit to Quetta, the Prime Minister addressed officers at the Command and Staff College, praising the institution for its outstanding services. He emphasised that the armed forces are the defenders of Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity, and welcomed guests from friendly countries, saying their presence reflects the strength of Pakistan’s international relations.
Referring to past incidents, the Prime Minister noted that Pakistan gave a robust defence against Indian actions under the pretext of the Pulwama incident, highlighting the exemplary performance of the armed forces. He added that India’s aggression received a decisive response.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif further revealed that the Pakistan Air Force successfully targeted seven high-value objectives. He credited Field Marshal-level leadership for the historic success and mentioned that Pakistan had even offered to investigate the Pulwama incident. He reaffirmed that both the government and the people stand shoulder to shoulder with the military.
He added that by the grace of Allah, Pakistan was granted a glorious victory. He criticised India for targeting innocent civilians during its aggression and reiterated that any future misadventure would be met with a harsh response. “India will not be allowed to use water as a weapon,” he stressed again, emphasising that threats to Pakistan go beyond conventional warfare.
The Prime Minister underscored that the armed forces are the guardians of the nation’s sovereignty and unity. He said the recent agreement with the IMF has brought economic stability, but stressed the need for structural reforms at the grassroots level. “Pakistan’s morale is very high at the moment,” he added.
“It is time to seize this opportunity,” said Shehbaz Sharif. “We must do what the nation hopes for—achieve the vision of Quaid-e-Azam that will earn global respect. It’s now up to us to make the most of this moment.”
He expressed confidence in the country’s potential, saying, “We have everything we need. I assure you, we can achieve a lot. We are blessed with natural resources and great people.” He called for increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio, aiming to take it to 15% for sustained development.
The Prime Minister said inflation has dropped to single digits due to government efforts, and smuggling has significantly reduced in one year due to steps taken under Field Marshal-level leadership. “Smuggling is like cancer for the economy. I hold weekly meetings with the FBR,” he said, reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
He concluded by stating that Pakistan’s close allies want to see its trade grow. “Saudi Arabia is Pakistan’s closest friend, and very soon we will eliminate the menace of terrorism,” he declared.
Read Also: Respect for Pakistani passport increased after 11 May: Amir Muqam
