PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir vow decisive action against Indian-sponsored proxies in Balochistan
Speaking at the Zehri Auditorium, the premier condemned the intensified activities of Indian-backed proxies aimed at destabilising Balochistan, and warned that such hostile attempts would be met with decisive state action.
'Our message to the enemies of peace is clear: the government, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and administrative apparatus, with full support of the Pakistani nation, will defeat terrorism in all its forms,' the Prime Minister stated. P The premier lauded the historical role of Balochistan's tribal elders in preserving national unity and called for continued grassroots engagement to deny space to terror outfits such as the so-called 'Fitna Al-Hindustan'.
He also underscored the importance of ensuring that government-led development initiatives yield tangible benefits for the local population.
Addressing the gathering, Field Marshal Munir described the ongoing violence in Balochistan as part of a 'blatant Indian-sponsored proxy war' and vowed to crush every element threatening Pakistan's sovereignty.
'We have concrete proof of India's hand in supporting terrorist networks in Balochistan. These nefarious efforts will be defeated by the Pakistan Army with the full support of the nation and the brave people of Balochistan,' he said.
The COAS reiterated that peace in Balochistan is non-negotiable and directly linked to Pakistan's long-term stability.
Both the prime minister and the COAS praised the bravery and sacrifices of the security forces and law enforcement agencies operating in the province.
The prime minister assured continued state support to the families of martyrs and pledged zero tolerance for terror facilitators and abettors.
The Jirga concluded with tribal elders pledging their full support to the state's security and development efforts.
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz also visited the Command and Staff College Quetta, where he addressed student officers and faculty. Stressing the need for operational readiness and strategic foresight, the PM emphasized the significance of professional military education in countering evolving hybrid threats, particularly in sensitive regions like Balochistan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
10 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Indian Supreme Court to hear plea on restoration of IIOJK's special status
A woman stands next to Amir Nazir Wani's family house, which was destroyed by the Indian authorities, in Khasipora village in Tral, occupied Kashmir on April 27, 2025. — Reuters/Adnan Abidi Listen to article India's top court will hear a plea for the restoration of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir's (IIOJK) federal statehood later this week, court officials said Tuesday, as the region marked six years under direct rule from New Delhi. The hearing, scheduled for August 8 in the Supreme Court, follows an application filed by two residents of the Muslim-majority territory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government in August 2019 revoked IIOJK limited autonomy and brought it directly under federal control. The move was accompanied by mass arrests and a communications blackout that ran for months as India bolstered its armed forces in the region to contain protests. The removal of Article 370 of the constitution, which enshrined the Indian-occupied region's special status, was challenged by IIOJK's pro-India political parties, the local bar association and individual litigants. The Supreme Court in December 2023 upheld removing the region's autonomy but called for IIOJK to be restored to statehood and put on a par with any other Indian federal state "at the earliest and as soon as possible". "We have moved an application seeking a definitive timeline for the restoration of statehood," said the petitioners' lawyer, Soayib Qureshi. "It has been quite some time since the court asked for it and elections have also been successfully held." Last November, IIOJK elected its first government since it was brought under New Delhi's direct control, as voters backed opposition parties to lead its regional assembly. But the local government has limited powers and the territory continues to be for all practical purposes governed by a New Delhi-appointed administrator. Indian security forces were deployed in force in the Himalayan territory on Tuesday, eyeing protests demanding the restoration of its special status.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Govt invites opposition for dialogue on 26th Amendment
Listen to article Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar extended an invitation to the opposition for dialogue over the 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling for consensus-building to address broader national challenges, Express News reported. Speaking during a session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, he defended the amendment, which redefines the mechanism of judicial appointments, stating it had been passed with a two-thirds majority. 'If you believe it can be improved further, let's sit together and discuss it,' he said. The minister maintained that the revised appointment process—aimed at increasing transparency and inclusiveness—was in line with international best practices. "It was corrected to ensure that Parliament—as the mother of all institutions—is given the role it truly deserves. This is how it's done across the world. Judicial appointments everywhere follow a similar model.' قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس کے دوران وفاقی وزیر برائے دفاع خواجہ محمد آصف کا عراق اور ایران جانے والے زائرین کے لئے مہیا کردہ سفری سہولیات کے حوالے سے اظہار خیال #NASession @KhawajaMAsif — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 5, 2025 He also expressed concern over the prolonged delays in the judicial process, particularly the years-long backlog of cases. 'I've said this before—if we sit together, we can resolve these issues,' he stressed. 'Criminal cases often take a decade to conclude, and death row inmates can spend 11 to 12 years in death cells. Should we not address that? Civil cases sometimes remain undecided for as long as 30 years. Shouldn't we act on that as well?' Tarar revealed that a draft comprising 108 proposed constitutional amendments is currently pending in the Law and Justice Committee. 'Let's start from there. We were ready before, and we are ready today. Tearing up drafts will not solve any problems—dialogue will,' he stressed. Read More: Islamabad denies involvement of Pakistani nationals in Russia-Ukraine conflict He emphasised that political stability cannot be achieved through confrontation. 'Where there is sincerity, there is always a way forward,' he remarked, urging parties across the aisle to seek common ground. The minister also recalled the political developments of April 2022, when the National Assembly was dissolved to block a no-confidence motion. 'You now say the government is flawed, but back then, a resolution was dismissed within 90 seconds. Such decisions undermined the will of 250 million citizens,' he noted. He further warned against political double standards. ' Assemblies were dissolved for political convenience, and it's not the first time politicians have faced consequences,' he said, calling for dialogue 'even behind closed doors, if necessary.'
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Trump threatens tariff hike on India within 24 hours over Russian oil imports
US President Donald Trump waves as he walks across the South Lawn upon return to the White House in Washington, DC on August 3, 2025 after spending the weekend at his Bedminster US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was considering "substantially" hiking tariffs on Indian imports in the next 24 hours over the country's purchases of Russian oil. "India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them. So we settled on 25 percent but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil," he told CNBC in a televised interview. In a social media post, Trump wrote, "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine." "Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," he added. A spokesperson for India's foreign ministry said in response that India will "take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security." "The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable," the spokesperson added. Read More: 'Trump tariff rates unlikely to change' Trump has said that from Friday he will impose new sanctions on Russia as well as on countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end its 3-1/2 year war with Ukraine, opens new tab. Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no public sign of altering his stance despite the deadline. Over the weekend, two Indian government sources told Reuters that India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite Trump's threats. India has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. New Delhi has resisted, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and economic needs, opens new tab. Trump had already in July announced 25% tariffs on Indian imports, and U.S. officials have cited a range of geopolitical issues standing in the way of a U.S.-India trade accord. Trump has also cast the wider BRICS group of developing nations as hostile to the United States. Those nations have dismissed his accusation, saying the group promotes the interests of its members and of developing countries at large. Crude buyer India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources. India began importing oil from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, the Indian spokesperson said, calling it a "necessity compelled by global market situation." The spokesperson also noted the West's, particularly the European Union's, bilateral trade with Russia: "It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia." Also Read: India's double game with US Despite the Indian government's defiance, the country's main refiners paused buying Russian oil last week, sources told Reuters. Discounts to other suppliers narrowed after Trump threatened hefty tariffs on countries that make any such purchases. Indian government officials denied any policy change. The country's largest refiner, Indian Oil Corp, has bought 7 million barrels of crude from the United States, Canada and the Middle East, four trade sources told Reuters on Monday. India also has been frustrated by Trump repeatedly taking credit for an India-Pakistan ceasefire that he announced on social media in May, which halted days of hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The unpredictability of the Trump administration creates a challenge for Delhi, said Richard Rossow, head of the India program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. "India's continued energy and defense purchases from Russia presents a larger challenge, where India does not feel it can predict how the Trump administration will approach Russia from month to month," he said.
