We could’ve downed 10 jets but chose restraint: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while commending the armed forces of Pakistan, said that our enemy tried to attack by hiding in the darkness like in the past but the prayers of the people, the Pakistan Army gave a befitting reply to the Indian attack, turning the dark night into a moonlight night.

He was addressing the parliament, and the public, on the unfolding situation with India on Wednesday.

Earlier today, the meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) was convened at the Prime Minister House. The NSC deliberated upon the grave developments arising out of India’s ‘unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war’. The Committee has thus decided to give absolute authority to the Pakistan Armed Forces to take necessary measures to defend sovereignty of Pakistan.

“I congratulate all the political leaders and the people present here [in the parliament]. I will request prayers for those martyred in the Indian attack,” Shehbaz said, adding, “The [Indian] allegations of the Pahalgam incident proved to be false as always. India wanted to tell the world that Pakistan was involved in the Pahalgam incident.”

The PM also mentioned the Balochistan Jaffar Express incident when the terrorists took a train hostage. He said, “There is evidence of India’s involvement in the terrorist incident in Balochistan. India did not even bother to condemn the Jaffar Express attack.”

Speaking about the Pagalgam incident again, he said that India registered an FIR within ten minutes and Indian media and politicians made a barrage of allegations. The premier reiterated, “We have said in unequivocal terms that Pakistan was not involved in the Pahalgam incident.”

Pakistan offered India an international investigation into the Pahalgam incident, PM Shehbaz said, adding that since the Pahalgam incident, there were reports coming every day that India would attack. But Pakistan Army is ready 24×7 to thwart the enemy’s plans.

He added, “India is proud of Rafale [fighter jets] but its pride has been destroyed.” Indian planes were also jammed earlier, due to which they had to make an emergency landing in Srinagar, he added.

“Pakistani planes did not cross Indian territory,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shot down five Indian planes including three Rafales. “I salute Air Chief Zaheer Babar. 80 Indian planes were involved in the attack. The people of Pakistan are with their martyrs.”

“Our enemy must not have slept last night. We could have shot down 10 planes but we acted with restraint,” he said.

Shehbaz also urged the political parties to unite and work for the development of the country. He made an offer of talks to the opposition. “I am ready to go to the opposition chamber. There will be no better opportunity than this. This is a time for solidarity, not for criticizing each other,” he said.