PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned India’s threats to cut off water supplies to Pakistan, warning that any further hostile action would be met with a resolute and forceful response.
Addressing a tribal jirga in Peshawar, the prime minister said that the Indian government resorted to aggression during recent border tensions. He claimed India had suffered a “humiliating defeat” following Pakistan’s military response.
“India will never forget the lesson it has learned,” he said, claiming the Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was now “licking its wounds.”
The prime minister revealed that the enemy launched a surprise attack on Pakistan. PM Sharif recalled that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir had alerted him to the attack at 2:30am, after which Pakistan’s armed forces swiftly retaliated to Indian aggression.
PM Sharif praised the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying India learned a lesson it will never forget.
He emphasized that the prayers of the Pakistani people were a key factor during the conflict with India. “The bravery of our soldiers and the prayers of our people turned the tide in our favour,” he said.
The prime minister stated that friendly countries are also pleased with Pakistan’s victory against India. “Friendly nations expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s military response.”
Referring to India’s repeated threats to block water flowing into Pakistan, Prime Minister Sharif stressed the urgency of making strategic, national-level decisions to safeguard the country’s water resources. “We will invite all four provinces to consult on how to expand our water storage capacity,” he stated.
PM Sharif assured that India would always remember Pakistan’s retaliatory actions to aggression. He condemned India’s attacks on innocent Pakistani civilians.
Highlighting unity, the prime minister said the entire nation must come together to make bold decisions for Pakistan’s future. “When our homeland calls, our brave soldiers leave behind their children and head to the front lines,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s strength was also being recognised globally. “After my recent visits to four countries, I can say the world is pleased with Pakistan’s progress.”
The prime minister also announced the formation of a special committee to review Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He said the committee would engage with KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and tribal elders to address provincial concerns and recommend if some issues should be brought before Parliament.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a land of brave and dignified people,” Prime Minister Sharif said, praising the province’s pivotal role in the 1947 referendum and its continued loyalty to Pakistan. “The sacrifices of the people of KP will be written in golden letters in our history.”
The prime minister highlighted that successive governments had allocated over Rs700 billion to KP over the years, particularly in support of its frontline role in the war against terrorism.
He noted that the 2010 NFC Award had included a provision to allocate 1% of the national divisible pool to KP for counterterrorism purposes. “Funds for KP police modernisation are still being released,” he added.
Addressing national security, Prime Minister Sharif recalled unprovoked Indian attacks on May 6 and 7, which he said resulted in civilian casualties. He reiterated his government’s full support for the armed forces and the people of KP, affirming that funding for the province would continue until terrorism is fully eradicated.
