ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistani diplomats and defence officials warned India against any misadventure while underlining Pakistan’s resolve for peace, during a seminar titled “Marka-e-Haq and Beyond” held in Islamabad.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), said India had violated the Indus Waters Treaty and stressed that any attempt to block Pakistan’s share of water would be considered “an act of war.” He cautioned that Pakistan would give a “robust and proportionate response” to any Indian aggression, including potential false-flag operations. “Pakistan has always demonstrated restraint and responsibility, but our desire for peace should never be mistaken for weakness,” he remarked.
Former Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, in his keynote address, struck a firm military tone. “I am a general, and I will speak like one. Our armed forces are fully prepared for any eventuality. If attacked, Pakistan will respond decisively,” he said. Aman added that India’s assumption that Pakistan would not retaliate was a “dangerous delusion.”
He credited national unity and strong leadership for Pakistan’s military successes, declaring, “Victory in battle is owed to the spirit of the people as much as the strength of the armed forces. In Marka-e-Haq, we set a new example of resilience and resolve.”
Aman rejected Indian claims that Pakistan relied on Chinese troops or weaponry during recent conflicts, saying no Chinese forces were present on Pakistani soil. “India, however, benefitted from Israeli military support. The reality is that India fought Pakistan—not China,” he emphasized.
Highlighting the regional and global context, Aman said India’s narrative of “Operation Sandor” had faced skepticism even within its own parliament and internationally. He noted that, apart from Israel, no country openly sided with New Delhi. “India gained nothing from this conflict except reputational damage,” he said, while praising Pakistan’s deterrence posture as a nuclear power designed “to end wars, not start them.”
The former air chief acknowledged the role of international diplomacy in preventing escalation, crediting US President Donald Trump with averting a full-scale war between Pakistan and India. “President Trump stopped many wars, and the prevention of this war is also to his credit,” Aman said, while pointing out that Washington later raised tariffs on India, which subsequently sought oil deals with Russia.
On Pakistan’s future, Aman stressed the need for strengthening internal governance and provincial harmony. “All provinces must be united, and their grievances addressed. We often admire China and Japan’s development, but do our own local governments have adequate powers?” he asked. He suggested smaller, more manageable administrative units to ensure effective governance.
Aman also highlighted regional opportunities, noting that Afghanistan’s interest in joining CPEC and China’s Belt and Road Initiative could transform connectivity. “Pakistan stands at a crucial juncture—India does not. Through peace and trade, Pakistan can play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s future,” he concluded.
