Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, clarified that Pakistan does not seek war with India, stressing that the country developed nuclear weapons solely for safeguarding its sovereignty. Speaking to the media, Asif emphasized that while Pakistan has no intention of engaging in conflict, it will not hesitate to retaliate if India initiates an attack.
The Defence Minister also responded to intelligence reports that suggest India may be planning attacks on key Pakistani cities, including Islamabad, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Asif stated that Pakistan’s intelligence has gathered information indicating India’s intent to strike these cities.
Asif further accused India of providing support to banned organizations, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claiming that India is arming these groups to cause instability within Pakistan. Pakistan, he revealed, plans to take the issue to international courts.
Addressing the unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Asif alleged that India is backing insurgent movements in these regions. He contended that the BLA and TTP are functioning as proxies for India, with the objective of spreading chaos across Pakistan’s provinces.
Additionally, Asif criticized India for its global support of terrorism, citing recent incidents in Canada and the U.S. He also condemned India’s decision to revoke the Sindh Water Accord, labeling it a highly dangerous move. Asif concluded by stating that Pakistan would bring the matter before international legal forums for resolution.