KEY POINTS
- The doctrine of “Quid Pro Quo Plus” is reaffirmed at a seminar in Islamabad
- Statement comes amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, upcoming exercise near Sir Creek
- The aide accuses external actors of undermining regional strategic balance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top nuclear aide has reaffirmed the country’s doctrine of “Quid Pro Quo Plus,” a policy committing Islamabad to respond to any Indian act of aggression with a military reaction that exceeds the initial strike in scale or severity, a Dawn report said.
Addressing the concluding session of a three-day workshop hosted by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) in collaboration with Karakoram International University, Mazhar Jamil reiterated that Pakistan “stands fully prepared to respond to any act of aggression, strategic, operational, or tactical, with resolve and capability, ensuring the preservation of deterrence equilibrium in the region.”
His remarks follow a period of heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, which includes Indian military exercise Trishul near the Sir Creek region set for 30 October–10 November.
Earlier media reports had noted Indian officials have warned of “overwhelming retaliation” against cross-border terrorism.
Jamil further warned that “great power politics has facilitated a discriminatory transfer of advanced and emerging technologies to India, thereby undermining the strategic balance in South Asia.”
He accused New Delhi of being emboldened by “external enablers and strategic partnerships,” describing India’s actions as increasingly adventurist.
Drawing on events, specifically the May confrontation following the Pahalgam incident, he stated that Pakistan had “once again demonstrated restraint and responsibility, reaffirming the credibility and maturity of its nuclear deterrence posture.”
He also criticised what he called “Hindutva-driven nationalism” in India as an ideological challenge to regional peace, invoking the concept of Chanakya’s Mandala-Theory of power politics to frame New Delhi’s strategy.
