Key points
- Ex-Servicemen Society condemns suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
- Pledge to defend every inch of the country
- Warns of a befitting response in case of any “Indian aggression”
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) on Tuesday warned India to refrain from warmongering, saying that over three million military veterans were ready to fight alongside Pakistan’s Armed Forces.
Speaking at a press conference in Pakistan’s capital, they said any “misadventure” from India will have destructive consequences for the eastern neighbour.
Retired Major General Javed Aslam Tahir said India would get a befitting reply if it dares to threaten Pakistan.
“God willing, on one order from the army chief, we will be there, fighting alongside our armed forces, on the ground, in the air and at sea. Also, we want to give this message to the entire world that this time, India has threatened the very lives of Pakistanis by abrogating the Indus Waters Treaty, which India cannot do unilaterally,” he said.
In a similar news conference at Rawalpindi Press Club a few days ago, PESS President retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum said India should accept Pakistan’s proposal for a joint investigation into the Pahalgam incident in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“All 3.4 million ex-servicemen, soldiers, sailors, airmen and women place their services at the disposal of the armed forces’ leadership for utilisation on the front line, for logistics and in the hospitals in case of any Indian aggression. Ex-servicemen, like the entire nation, stand by the armed forces,” retired Lt Gen Qayyum said.
Flanked by other members of the society on Tuesday, Tahir said, “We are here to stand together and show our solidarity with the Armed Forces of Pakistan, to the people of Pakistan and the soil of Pakistan.”
He said we owe the country and its armed forces too much, and it is our chance to repay.
“Till death, we pledge to stand by it and defend every inch of Pakistan,” he said.
Provocative measures
The retired general said India has resorted to provocative measures at a time when Pakistan was progressing economically and politically.
He said Indian carried out the “Pahalgam false flag operation” to derail Pakistan’s progress.
The ex-serviceman also accused India of carrying out terrorism inside Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Let this be made clear. This will not be tolerated anymore. Pakistan is on the road to progress and prosperity, and all veterans stand by it.”
