ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that war with India was not an option, but that it would respond with "full force" to any attempt to challenge its sovereignty.
The National Security Committee "stressed the fact that both countries are aware of each other’s capabilities. War is not an option," the prime minister's office said in a statement after chairing a committee meeting.
"It is shared responsibility of the leadership of both countries to immediately defuse the situation," it said.
"The committee expressed the resolve that any attempt to challenge Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty will be responded with full force. The Armed Forces assured the National Security Committee that they are fully prepared to deal with any adversity at our borders," the statement added.
Further, during the meeting the premier condemned 'unprovoked' firing by India across the border.
Addressing the escalation of border clashes between India and Pakistan, Nawaz said Pakistan's desire for peace should not be misunderstood and called upon India to immediately honour the sanctity of the Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary and halt firing for durable peace, Express News reported.
"Pakistan has replied befittingly to India’s violation of the ceasefire," he said.
The premier also deplored the loss of lives on Pakistan's side as a result of Indian firing.
Further, the top military leadership briefed the meeting's participants about the latest situation along the LoC and working boundary and clarified that Pakistani forces are only firing in defence and not targeting civilian areas.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Terming his visit to Miramshah a moving experience, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he was thrilled to see what the armed forces have achieved so far in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb against foreign and local militants in North Waziristan.
Mentioning his meeting with the officers and soldiers fighting in the operation Nawaz said, "They have fought very bravely in the area and cleared all of North Waziristan area."
"We saw a mosque which was used for brainwashing young minds, rooms where people were trained for terrorism and weapon depots," he said, as he narrated his experience.
Paying rich tribute to those fighting terrorists in the agency, the premier said the terrorists have paid a heavy price for the operation.
PM Nawaz also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and offered government assistance.
The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and senior military officials.
Earlier, the chief of army staff, naval chief and Advisor on Foreign Affairs separately met with the prime minister and discussed matters pertaining to national security.
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COMMENTS (18)
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It's basically a political gimmickry by Indian political leadership. Moodi wants to win forthcoming elections with clear majority. These are tricks of the traits. Whether it dies down at its own or otherwise, relevance of UN monitoring body is mandotary for ensuring peace in the region.
@saif: Only a minority of people are protesting, the masses are happy and at home. They have given their verdict by not suppoting the nefariius designs of PTI.
I feel sorry for any PM of Pakistan. With Security and Foreign policy in the hands of the establishment, the civilian government become the fall guy for any misadventure on these to critical issues.
For the first you should listen and try to win Pakistanis heart who are protesting against your government. After that you can issue any statement you won't to do, but please listen to them. Your government will not exist wait and watch.
@hopeless where did IK came in??? seems like someone thinking too much of IK. BTW anyone with IQ of 50 can do better job than NS.
The brave Pakistani forces are fighting Islamic terrorists on one hand and hindu terrorists on the other. All kudos to our brave forces to quell terrorism on both fronts simultaneously.
It is usual for Pakistan to start bombing across the Line of Control when the situation in pakistan becomes difficult as it is now with Imran Khan and Tahir Qadri protesting on the streets. This is the situation now. Such adventures should be stopped by the Pakistanis as it wastes money and causes intolerable harm to populations on either side. I hope reason will prevail.
Dear Mr. Nawaz Shareef and Mr. Army Chief,
What about starting an operation against India since they are also killing our innocent people.
this is one positive of NS he must show full support to our armed forces it seems that his mind is changing as militant goes other wise he and IK was against the operation.
Well Done NS Well Done Armed forces
@Punjab: so should we made Imran Khan the Prime Minister?
Feeling sorry for non-serious comments I am reading in this thread. Our approach to issues of grave national interest has always been murky.
The much-awaited Operation in Waziristan became only possible during the elected government of PMLN. The Taliban's agent ITTPK is still insisting to hold "dialogue" rather than crushing the terrorism from the bud. He is staging his own containerized shows to divert media attention from the achievements of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
do what NY and UK police are doing to muslims ie monitor and "integrate"
So he even reads during these day to day meetings...What a shame.
"Militants paid heavy price for terrorism in Pakistan": PM Nawaz
How did they pay? By cheque or cash?