Political leaders unite in support of Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq after Afghan cross-border firing

Pakistan’s political leadership voiced rare unanimity on Thursday after Islamabad launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in response to what officials described as unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban at multiple points along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Leaders from across the spectrum praised the armed forces for what they termed a swift and decisive reaction, asserting that any aggression from Kabul would be met firmly.

President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan would not compromise on peace or its territorial integrity. He described the military’s response as comprehensive, warning that any attempt to interpret Pakistan’s restraint as weakness would invite a strong counteraction.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the nation and its armed forces remained fully prepared to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and security. He stressed that defence of the homeland was non-negotiable and that every act of aggression would receive a proportionate reply, adding that the military possessed the professional expertise, training and strategy to confront both internal and external threats.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said security forces were delivering a forceful response to what he described as proxy elements and Afghan aggression. In a post on X, he also urged the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to stand united with the federation and other provinces in defending the country.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the cross-border firing, saying Pakistan’s security forces had responded immediately under the command of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. He maintained that Pakistan would protect its territorial integrity at all costs and would not tolerate militant safe havens across the border.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed solidarity in a brief message, declaring, “Long live Pakistan.”

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon shared a Quranic verse and echoed the slogan, “Long live Pakistan.”

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq strongly criticised what he termed Afghanistan’s unprovoked aggression along the border and commended the security forces for their prompt retaliation. He alleged that Afghanistan was acting as a proxy for India to destabilise the region and claimed terrorist activities against Pakistan were being carried out at New Delhi’s behest.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said that while Pakistan sought peaceful relations with its neighbours, it would not hesitate to counter any threats. He affirmed that the country’s response to Afghanistan’s actions would be forceful and said the nation stood in solidarity with its armed forces.