Parliamentary leaders back armed forces in face of Indian aggression
Top civil-military leadership give in-camera briefing to lawmakers
COAS also met NA speaker and Senate chairman in Islamabad on Wednesday. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The country's top civil and military leadership took heads of all parliamentary parties into confidence over steps taken to counter Indian aggression during a specially-convened meeting at the Parliament House on Wednesday.
The parliamentarians were briefed by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor.
Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also interacted with the forum. According to sources, he received a warm welcome at the meeting for giving a befitting response to India for violating the Pakistani airspace.
The forum unanimously expressed that they stood united against any aggression against Pakistan, and would not shy away from supporting the government and other state institutions unconditionally, said a press statement.
They expressed hope that those who wanted peace and stability will prevail as war was not an option but a failure of policy.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser thanked the military leadership for their unequivocal support at this moment of crisis.
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The meeting took place hours after the Pakistani military shot down two Indian fighter jets that had attempted to violate the country’s airspace once again and also captured a pilot.
The military’s media wing later released a video of the pilot, who introduced himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman bearing the service number 27981.
Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari among other key opposition leaders were part of the meeting also attended by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.
Briefing the lawmakers on decisions taken at a meeting of the National Command Authority, Qureshi said the government had already apprised the international community of India’s war hysteria and belligerent statements issued by its leadership.
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The parliamentary leaders paid homage to the armed forces of the country for their bravery in line with the nation’s aspirations.
Military officials said told lawmakers that the state had a clear policy against terrorism, and that Pakistani soil shall not be allowed to be used against any other country.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the foreign minister said that all opposition parties were standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the government and the armed forces for national defence.
Shehbaz, meanwhile, hailed Pakistan Air Force for the befitting response to the Indian air force. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, he advised the Indian premier to refrain from further escalation.
PPP’s Khursheed Shah said no one wanted a war and urged all regional peacemakers to play their role in defusing the current standoff.
He, however, regretted the prime minister's decision of not attending the high-level meeting. “He [PM Imran] had a good opportunity to give out a message of unity,” he remarked.
Senate Chairman Sanjrani, speaking after the in-camera briefing, said letters had been written to all OIC members, apprising them of Pakistan’s reservations on inviting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the inaugural session.
The entire Parliament, he said, was standing with the country’s forces.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly speaker said that the purpose of the in-camera briefing was to convey a message of unity. A unanimous resolution, he added, will be approved in the joint session of Parliament, which is scheduled to be held today.
“We want peace but will not compromise on our security… we want to give the entire world a message that we are a peaceful nation."
The country's top civil and military leadership took heads of all parliamentary parties into confidence over steps taken to counter Indian aggression during a specially-convened meeting at the Parliament House on Wednesday.
The parliamentarians were briefed by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor.
Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also interacted with the forum. According to sources, he received a warm welcome at the meeting for giving a befitting response to India for violating the Pakistani airspace.
The forum unanimously expressed that they stood united against any aggression against Pakistan, and would not shy away from supporting the government and other state institutions unconditionally, said a press statement.
They expressed hope that those who wanted peace and stability will prevail as war was not an option but a failure of policy.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser thanked the military leadership for their unequivocal support at this moment of crisis.
Malala asks Imran, Modi to show 'true leadership by engaging in dialogue'
The meeting took place hours after the Pakistani military shot down two Indian fighter jets that had attempted to violate the country’s airspace once again and also captured a pilot.
The military’s media wing later released a video of the pilot, who introduced himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman bearing the service number 27981.
Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari among other key opposition leaders were part of the meeting also attended by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.
Briefing the lawmakers on decisions taken at a meeting of the National Command Authority, Qureshi said the government had already apprised the international community of India’s war hysteria and belligerent statements issued by its leadership.
PM to Modi: 'Let better sense prevail'
The parliamentary leaders paid homage to the armed forces of the country for their bravery in line with the nation’s aspirations.
Military officials said told lawmakers that the state had a clear policy against terrorism, and that Pakistani soil shall not be allowed to be used against any other country.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the foreign minister said that all opposition parties were standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the government and the armed forces for national defence.
Shehbaz, meanwhile, hailed Pakistan Air Force for the befitting response to the Indian air force. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, he advised the Indian premier to refrain from further escalation.
PPP’s Khursheed Shah said no one wanted a war and urged all regional peacemakers to play their role in defusing the current standoff.
He, however, regretted the prime minister's decision of not attending the high-level meeting. “He [PM Imran] had a good opportunity to give out a message of unity,” he remarked.
Senate Chairman Sanjrani, speaking after the in-camera briefing, said letters had been written to all OIC members, apprising them of Pakistan’s reservations on inviting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the inaugural session.
The entire Parliament, he said, was standing with the country’s forces.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly speaker said that the purpose of the in-camera briefing was to convey a message of unity. A unanimous resolution, he added, will be approved in the joint session of Parliament, which is scheduled to be held today.
“We want peace but will not compromise on our security… we want to give the entire world a message that we are a peaceful nation."