Pakistan military authorised to strike India ‘at time, place and manner of own choosing’
Last updated: May 7, 2025 | 17:12
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif (L) chairs a high level security meeting with armed forces chiefs in Islamabad on Wednesday. AP
In this handout photograph taken on May 7, 2025 and released by the Pakistan's Prime Minister Office the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (L) chairs a high level security meeting with chiefs of the armed forces and other government officials at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) which convened for an urgent meeting in the capital Islamabad after strikes by India on May 7 said the world must hold its neighbour "accountable", according to a statement. Nuclear-armed neighbours exchanged heavy artillery along their contested frontier on May 7, after New Delhi launched deadly missile strikes on its arch-rival in the worst violence between them in two decades. (Photo by Pakistan's Prime Minister Office / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Pakistan's Prime Minister Office / - " - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Tariq Butt, Correspondent
Pakistan's armed forces have duly been authorised to undertake corresponding actions against India for striking several mosques and homes in Pakistan, resulting in many casualties, a statement issued by the National Security Committee (NSC) said after a meeting on Wednesday.
It said that in consonance with Article-51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defence, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty.
The NSC was convened under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The forum offered Fateha for the souls of the innocent civilians martyred in India's strikes, extended its heartfelt condolences to the near ones of the martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The NSC deliberated upon the grave developments arising out of India's unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war.
The NSC statement said that on the night of 6/7 May 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched coordinated missile, air and drone strikes on multiple locations within Pakistan's sovereign territory, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke and Bahawalpur in Punjab, and Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
These unprovoked and unjustified attacks deliberately targeted the civilian areas, on the false pretext of presence of imaginary terrorist camps, resulting in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children, and causing damage to the civilian infrastructure, including mosques, the statement said, adding that India's act of aggression also caused grave danger to commercial airlines belonging to brotherly gulf countries, endangering the lives of thousands of on-board passengers.
It said that besides, the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project was also deliberately targeted in violation of international conventions.
The NSC unequivocally condemned these illegal acts as blatant violations of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which manifestly constituted acts of war under international law. The deliberate targeting of civilians, including innocent women and children, by the Indian military constitutes a heinous and shameful crime, that is in violation of all norms of human behaviour and the provisions of international law.
The statement said that Pakistan has been emphatically rejecting Indian allegations claiming the presence of terrorist camps on its territory. It would also be recalled that immediately after April 22, 2025, Pakistan made a sincere offer for a credible, transparent and neutral investigation, which unfortunately was not accepted.
UN military observers arrive to inspect the site of a damaged mosque after Indian strikes in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday. AFP
The international media personnel had already visited these "imaginary terrorist camps" on May 6, 2025, and more visits were planned for May 7, 2025. However, apprehensive of its falsehood being exposed, and without a shred of evidence about its claims, the Indian leadership, bereft of any morality, has now gone to the extent of attacking innocent civilians in order to satiate its delusional thoughts and short-sighted political objectives.
Attacking its innocent people is neither tolerable nor acceptable to Pakistan. India, against all sanity and rationality has once again ignited an inferno in the region, the responsibility for ensuing consequences shall lie squarely with India.
Pakistan's senior military and civil officials, along with residents, attend the funeral of Indian strike victims in Muridke. AFP
The statement said that the Armed Forces of Pakistan, in line with the exercise of the right of self-defence and response framework outlined in NSC statement dated 22 April 2025, resolutely defended the territorial integrity of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, against the Indian aggression, while also bringing down five Indian fighter aircrafts and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the process.
Deeply anguished by India's naked aggression, the entire Pakistani nation greatly appreciates and admires the bravery and courage of the Armed Forces and their timely action in the defense of their motherland.
The nation stands galvanized and resolute in the face of any further aggression, the statement said.
The NSC calls upon the international community to recognise the gravity of India's unprovoked illegal actions and to hold it accountable for its blatant violations of international norms and laws.
It said that Pakistan remains committed to peace, with dignity and honour, and reiterates that it shall never allow any violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity or permit any harm to its proud people.
