Recalling the May confrontation, President Zardari declares that Pakistan will strongly retaliate against any Indian invasion.

President Asif Ali Zardari stated on Saturday that although Pakistan did not seek war, it would react forcefully to any act of aggression and would sacrifice blood whenever the homeland demanded it.

The president welcomed party members and leaders, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, at a public event in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 18th anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s passing.

President Zardari attacked the previous administration, claiming that “one foolish man” had harmed Pakistan’s ties with the international community, without mentioning former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He claimed that the economy had been destroyed by a previous government, but he also stated that Pakistan was currently attempting to mend relations with the outside world while guiding the economy in the direction of recovery.

The president praised the military’s resolute stance during the conflict with India in May and declared that Pakistan will last forever. He claimed that the conversation had demonstrated that Pakistan knew how to defend itself and that war was not a game.

Speaking about the recent tensions, President Zardari stated that moderation had been used, but that if Pakistan had wanted to escalate, it could have shot down more Indian planes. He claimed that although India presented itself as a nation ten times larger than Pakistan, size was not a factor in determining bravery or resolution in times of conflict.

President Zardari praised the military leadership, stating that Pakistan’s air force and army had competent commanders. He notably praised Field Marshal Asim Munir, claiming that even former US President Donald Trump had spoken well of him and that he was working with civilian leadership to advance the nation.

On the anniversary of Benazir’s passing, Bilawal refers to Asif Zardari as the “king of reconciliation.”

The president recalled how the phrase “Pakistan Khappay” had prevented the nation from dividing in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s murder. He declared that the Bhutto legacy’s heirs and the Pakistan Peoples Party were still prepared to protect the country when needed.

Additionally, President Zardari revealed that his military secretary had encouraged him to relocate to a bunker before to the battle, but he had refused, claiming that presidents did not perish in bunkers. He went on to say that if the nation’s defence required it, he was willing to give up everything, even his life and fortune.

Although he reaffirmed that Pakistan was not a war-seeking country, he issued a warning that any nation that dared to invade its territory would be met with a powerful and well-coordinated military response.