ibn sultan
Pakistan on Wednesday said its armed forces have duly been authorised to undertake “corresponding actions” after India launched precision strikes on terror camps in the country and Pakistan administrated Kashmir.
The National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his country reserved the right to respond to India’s airstrikes in “self-defence” at a time, place and manner of its choosing, a statement from Pakistan’s PMO said.
Condemning India’s “naked aggression”, it alleged that the “unprovoked and unjustified attacks” deliberately targeted Pakistani civilians, including women and children. India said it hit nine facilities linked to terror groups and that its actions “have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature”.
Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, the NSC said Pakistan has the right to retaliate in self-defence to “avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty”.
It accused India of blatant violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying its military actions “manifestly constituted acts of war under international law”.
The NSC statement said that Pakistan emphatically rejected Indian allegations claiming the presence of militant camps on its territory. It said Pakistan had made a sincere offer for a credible, transparent and neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack, which “unfortunately was not accepted”.
Besides, the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project was also deliberately targeted in violation of international conventions, the statement claimed.
After the NSC meeting was over, it was announced that Sharif will hold a cabinet meeting at 3.30 pm to further discuss the developments. “Later, he would share the decisions regarding the ongoing tension with the nation through his address in parliament,” officials said(India Today)
