President delivers firm message

2026-03-03 - 21:43

IN his wide-ranging address to the joint session of Parliament, President Asif Ali Zardari, while reiterating Pakistan’s commitment for peace, has delivered a strong message to the enemy declaring any aggressor “should prepare for another humiliating defeat”. In the backdrop of the ongoing operation on the western borders, he gave a stark warning to those harbouring ill-will against the country and trying to destabilize it, saying that Pakistan would not permit its territory or neighbouring soil to be used to destabilize its peace. The President also rightly pointed out that the strength of the republic lies in the Constitution, public resolve, parliamentary and governmental accountability and the morale of the defence forces. The President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of the parliamentary year is a tradition but it assumed greater significance in view of the prevailing regional situation, threats and challenges posed to the country and the contents of his speech that lend confidence to the people about ability of the state apparatus to navigate the nation successfully out of the troubled waters. In his speech, Mr. Zardari dwelt at length on all national, regional and international matters, including the Kashmir and Palestine issues, ongoing tension in the Gulf region, Marka-e-Haq and Ghazab-lil-Haq operations, Indian violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, economy, provincial autonomy and poverty. As Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its desire for peaceful resolution of disputes but it found no reciprocity from the Indian side, the President urged New Delhi to choose dialogue over conflict as any aggression will meet the same fate as Operation Sindoor. This warning is relevant as instead of engaging in talks to sort out issues between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as before, is showing his preference for use of force to settle disputes and destabilize Pakistan through state-sponsored terrorism. This is evident from India’s spree of military deals with a number of countries including Israel, collusion with Kabul to carry out terrorism in Pakistan and its support for terrorist outfits like BLA. Referring to India’s attempts to manipulate river flows and its unilateral actions placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, President Zardari vowed that Pakistan would defend its water rights with unwavering unity, resolve, strength and legal clarity to safeguard regional stability. Giving rationale for operation Ghazab lil-Haq, the President pointed out that despite multiple diplomatic engagements by Pakistan and friendly countries, the Afghan Taliban regime continued to provide safe sanctuaries to a variety of terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda, BLA and TTP, in violation of all the promises made in Doha. He emphatically stated that no state accepts serial attacks on its soil and Pakistan has let both India and Afghanistan see a fraction of its capabilities to safeguard its interests. Hopefully, the operation will continue till elimination of the threat or a guaranteed commitment by the Taliban regime not to allow the Afghan soil for anti-Pakistan activities. The remarks of the President on the prevailing situation in the Gulf reflected the country’s balanced approach. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, besides condoling the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and at the same time condemned the subsequent attacks launched on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar, calling for negotiated solutions to choose peace and restraint and save the region from a deepening crisis. The President reiterated Pakistan’s unchanged principled stance of supporting the creation of an independent and undivided state of Palestine with borders as before 1967 and with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital. Dilating upon the internal issues and economic conditions, the President reflected aspirations of the disadvantaged segments of the society by advising the government that its future strategy should focus on inclusive growth, jobs and direct relief as salaried classes, pensioners, labourers and small traders have endured a long night of hardship.