Pakistan has avenged 1971: Shehbaz Sharif

MUZAFFARGARH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the recent Pakistan-India war could have taken an ugly turn with dire repercussion for the whole region.

At the same time, he opined that the lesson taught to India during the four-day war had avenged the 1971 episode.

The prime minister was addressing a ceremony held in Muzaffarabad, where he distributed cheques among the heirs of those martyred due to the Indian aggression.

Shehbaz described the Pahalgam incident as unfortunate, but noted that India started levelling baseless allegations while using it as a pretext.

However, Pakistan told the entire world that it was a lie and baseless accusation as well as part of a conspiracy that could threaten peace in the whole region, he explained to the audience.

INDIA STANDS ISOLATED

At the same time, the prime minister also pointed to another important angle.

He says India had thought that all the international powers would support its actions, but the entire world either remained neutral or backed Pakistan.

CIVILIANS NOT A TARGET

Islamabad in its response during the Pakistan-India war, the prime minister said, did not target the civilians. But it wasn’t the case with India, which killed 33 Pakistani civilians during the short war, he regretted.

On the other hand, the prime minister said Pakistan attacked the Indian military and shot down six of their aircraft.

IMPARTIAL PROBE OFFER REJECTED

During the event, Shehbaz said India refused to accept Pakistan’s offer to hold an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam episode, so that the facts could be revealed. Instead, New Delhi opted to attack Pakistan, he added.

On May 10, Pakistan decided to give a befitting response, he recalled – a reference to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos launched after India attacked Nur Khan Airbase and other air force installations in the country.   

PROXY TACTICS:

Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar India’s “proxy tactics” continue unabated, as he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

“We are not cowards. Whatever we do, we do it openly,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s retaliatory airstrikes on May 10, which were conducted “in accordance with the UN Charter.”

“Our position on terrorism is clear – we are determined to eliminate it root and branch,” he stated.