Will respond to Indian aggression at time and place of our choosing: Pakistan

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that his country will respond to Indian aggression at the time and place of its choosing. Qureshi came up with the warning as he outlined the government's response and future course of actions in the wake of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) violation of the Line of Control (LoC).

He made the remarks in a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside Finance Minister Asad Umar and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, the Dawn reports.

The foreign minister started the press conference by reading out a statement of the National Security Committee (NSC), which had been convened by Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier in the day.

The committee, Qureshi said, "strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot as well as the claim of heavy casualties".

"Once again Indian government has resorted to a self-serving, reckless and fictitious claim," the statement said. "This action has been done for domestic consumption being in election environment, putting regional peace and stability at grave risk.

"The claimed area of strike is open for the world to see the facts on ground. For this domestic and international media is being taken to the impact site. Forum concluded that India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing."

The prime minister, as per the NSC statement, has directed that elements of national power, including the armed forces and the people of Pakistan to remain prepared for all eventualities.

"He [Prime Minister Khan] decided to engage with global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy in the region," the statement reads.

The prime minister also "appreciated timely and effective response of the Pakistan Air Force to repulse Indian attempt without any loss of life or property".

Following his recitation of the statement, Qureshi announced that "a three-member committee has been formed, including me, finance minister and defence minister to approach the parliament, and so that the people of Pakistan can be taken into confidence on the evolving situation."

Qureshi said that local and international media will be taken to the site of the Indian violation. "The helicopters are ready. If the weather permits, then they will be taken there so they could inspect themselves and expose the Indian propaganda. The statement of Mehbooba Mufti is in front of you. The story being presented is different from the facts."

"It has been decided that international leadership will be engaged with, and the foreign office and prime minister will engage. At the request of Pakistan, there is an OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) conflict group emergency meeting underway, and Tehmina Janjua is representing Pakistan there. We will present Pakistan's point of view at that forum."

The foreign minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has also had telephonic conversations with UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman over the issue.

"I also took British and Chinese foreign ministers into confidence because I knew a trilateral meeting is about to take place in Beijing between India, China and Russia," Qureshi said. "I wanted to present the facts to them.

"Today, the situation has changed. Aggression has been done against a founding member of the OIC, the Muslims in India are in fear, and Kashmiris are being targeted. That incident took place in Pulwama but the reaction was seen across all states of India. Students have had to hide and save their lives. In New Delhi there have been attacks on youth. A Muslim journalist who had no relation to Pulwama was attacked and beaten [because] he is a Kashmiri."

"Keeping this situation in mind we need to reevaluate, and we need to brief the parliament. Whatever the facts are, aside from the foreign office, the DG military operations and deputy chief of air staff will together take them into confidence and inform them about the exact situation. It is our responsibility and obligation to inform the people of Pakistan."

Khattak, the defence minister, said that the PAF was "ready" and "gave a clear indication to [India] that if such an action is repeated, a clear response will be given."

"Pakistan Air Force was already airborne and we were ready for all eventualities," Qureshi added. "I don't want to go into details here but the timely action of Pakistan Air Force stopped them. They diverted the Indian jets, which went back because of the alertness of our air force."

The foreign minister asserted that "our planes were not late. We were fully ready and they are always ready to face the challenge. Do not underestimate their ability. We have our own sense of timing. We will act, not react."

When asked if Indian violation could affect the Katarpur border crossing, Qureshi responded: "Kartarpur was a dream that Pakistan fulfilled. It had a message of peace that Pakistan gave. We opened the ways for Kartarpur not to shut them. Hopefully, Indian also open up their brains. They are closed [right now] because they are focused on politics."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan, as per the NSC statement, has also summoned a special meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) on Wednesday.

The NCA is the apex civilian-led command headed by the prime minister to oversee the policy formulation, exercises, deployment, research and development, and operational command and control of the country’s nuclear arsenals.

The NSC meeting was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and other military and civilian officials, including cabinet members.

GY

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