In partnership with
Profit
Saturday, 3 May, 2025 I 5 Ziquad, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 296 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE WAR WOULD BE RESPONDED TO ‘SURELY, DECISIVELY’: MILITARY TOP BRASS
g
g
COAS-LED CCC REVIEWS PREVAILING GEO-STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT, PAKISTANINDIA STANDOFF AND REGIONAL SECURITY CALCULUS ARMY’S TOP BRASS REITERATES PAKISTAN’S PATH TO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT WOULD NOT BE DETERRED BY TERRORISM, COERCION OR AGGRESSION
T
RAWALPINDI
g
g
REAFFIRMS RESOLVE TO UPHOLD COUNTRY’S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AGAINST ANY AGGRESSION OR MISADVENTURE
DELIBERATE DESTABILISATION EFFORTS BY INDIA WILL BE CONFRONTED AND DEFEATED WITH RESOLVE AND CLARITY: ISPR
STAFF REPORT
HE military top brass on Friday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity, warning that any Indian attempt to impose war would be responded to “surely and decisively,” amid simmering tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi in the wake last week’s attack in India occupied Kashmir. The affirmation came during a special session of Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, according to the military media wing. The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, a tourist attraction in Indian occupied Kashmir killed 26 tourists. India quickly accused Pakistan of involvement and implemented a series of downgraded diplomatic and economic ties. These measures included suspending the Indus Water Treaty, terminating a visa-free travel agreement, and closing the Attari border crossing. Pakistan has denied the accusations and has retaliated by suspending trade with India and closing its airspace to Indian airlines. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called for a credible, transparent and neu-
tral investigation into the Pahalgam. Tensions have since spiked, with Pakistan reinforcing its forces and India’s premier granting “operational freedom” to the military. As Pakistan, in the early hours of Wednesday, said it expected an Indian incursion within 24–36 hours, diplomatic channels have been engaged to prevent conflict. A day ago, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir warned that “any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response.” A press release issued by the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said the army chief presided over a special session of the Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday. At the session, the military top brass
conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with particular emphasis on the current Pakistan-India standoff and the broader regional security calculus. “While reaffirming Pakistan’s abiding commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity, the forum made clear that any attempt to impose war will be responded to, surely and decisively and aspirations of people of Pakistan shall be respected at all costs,” the ISPR said. “The forum reaffirmed the unflinching resolve of the Pakistan Armed Forces to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any aggression or misadventure,” it added. The ISPR said the army’s top brass reiterated that Pakistan’s path to peace and development would not be deterred by terrorism, coercion or aggression —
whether directly or through proxies. “Deliberate destabilisation efforts by the Indian government will be confronted and defeated with resolve and clarity,” the statement said. The ISPR said COAS Munir lauded the military’s “unwavering professionalism, steadfast morale and operational preparedness”, saying that it stood in unity with the nation to defend the homeland at all costs. The army chief also highlighted the critical importance of “heightened vigilance and proactive readiness” across all fronts amid the situation. The statement said the CCC participants expressed grave concern over the “intensification of Indian atrocities” in occupied Kashmir in the attack’s aftermath, as well as the continued targeting of innocent civilians along the Line of Control by Indian occupation forces. They reiterated that such “inhumane and unprovoked acts” served only to escalate regional tensions and would be met with a “resolute and proportionate response”. “The forum noted, with serious concern, India’s consistent pattern of exploitation of crises to achieve political and military objectives. They have been following a predictable template — whereby internal governance failures are externalised.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Kh Asif warns of retaliation if India disrupts Indus River flow ISLAMABAD
NEWS DESK
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Pakistan will take action if India constructs any structure on the Indus River, in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). He stated that any such attempt would be seen as Indian aggression. Tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated since the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan without providing evidence, leading to measures such as suspending the IWT and downgrading diplomatic ties. In response, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats, cancelled visas, and closed border crossings. Asif stated that Pakistan would pursue the matter through available forums, including the IWT. He also criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for using the situation to gain political leverage ahead of upcoming elections. The minister emphasized that India’s attempts to gain global support for its claims had failed, and the international community rejected India’s allegations. He added that while the situation remains tense, Pakistan’s response would be retaliatory.
ECP warns of binding orders over LG poll delays in Islamabad ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued a stern warning to the federal government over continued delays in holding local government (LG) elections in Islamabad, cautioning that it may invoke its constitutional authority to issue binding directives if action is not taken without further delay. The warning came during a high-level meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Election Commission, where top officials from the Interior Ministry, including the Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary, as well as the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, were present. The Secretary underscored the Commission’s growing frustration over the prolonged electoral limbo in the federal capital.