President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has realized that Pakistan knows how to defend itself, adding that Pakistan appointed an army chief who gave India a strong and decisive response.
Addressing a public gathering organized by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on the 18th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, President Zardari spoke at length about national defense, the sacrifices of the PPP, Pakistan’s response to India, and the resolve of party workers.
He said that on this day the PPP saved the country by raising the slogan “Pakistan Khappay” (Long Live Pakistan). “This slogan was not raised by me, but by the spirit of Benazir Bhutto, and it became a guarantee for Pakistan’s survival,” he remarked.
The president stated that Pakistan was blessed with strong military leadership and that the army chief responded to India by “looking it in the eye.” He said Modi had received a clear message that Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself.
Zardari added that if the world had not intervened, all Indian aircraft could have been shot down. He warned Modi to abandon threats, saying that if Pakistan’s sovereignty were challenged, the response would be decisive.
He questioned the courage of those who claim to be a much larger country, saying such resolve is found in Pakistan’s army chief, air chief, and prime minister.
The president reaffirmed that if Pakistan ever needed it, sacrifices would be made without hesitation. “If anyone looks at Pakistan with ill intent, Asif Zardari and the heirs of Bhutto are present and know how to defend the country,” he said.
Recalling his time in prison, Zardari said he always advised party workers to remain safe rather than take to the streets, adding that he chose to face challenges alone, as Benazir Bhutto often said she would do.
He concluded by stating that Pakistan does not seek conflict with any country, but if aggression is imposed, Pakistan’s armed forces — the army, air force, and navy — would deliver a crushing response. He warned that any aggression against Pakistan would meet the same fate India had already faced.
