KARACHI: The business community on Wednesday expressed full solidarity and unwavering support for the government and Armed Forces of Pakistan in response to the recent unprovoked missile strikes by India targeting civilian areas in Pakistan.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the leadership of the chamber, alongside representatives of all seven industrial town associations and several other trade bodies, strongly condemned what they described as blatant aggression by the Indian military. The attacks resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including women and children, and damaged mosques, homes, schools and public infrastructure. These strikes, they said, not only violate international law but also represent a deliberate attempt to destabilise regional peace and provoke Pakistan into a broader conflict.
Among those present were Chairperson BMG Zubair Motiwala, KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Senior Vice President Ziaul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, prominent businessman Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, President Site Association of Industry Ahmed Azeem Alvi, President FB Area Association of Trade & Industry Sheikh Muhammad Tehseen, Korangi Association of Trade & Industry representative Rehan Jawed, Bin Qasim Association of Trade & Industry representative Naveed Shakoor, former KCCI presidents Younus Muhammad Bashir and Junaid Esmail Makda, along with members of the KCCI Managing Committee.
Motiwala emphasised that Pakistan is a peace-loving country whose leadership, armed forces, and people have always advocated for dialogue, coexistence and diplomacy. “However, peace should never be mistaken for weakness. When our sovereignty, our citizens, and our national dignity are attacked, we have every right to defend ourselves with full force -- and we will,” he said.
Motiwala declared complete and unwavering support for the armed forces of Pakistan. “We salute their professionalism, courage, and unwavering commitment to defending our homeland. Their timely and effective response has not only demonstrated military readiness but has also uplifted the morale of the entire nation,” he added.
“In times of national crisis, unity is our greatest strength. We call upon the business community across Pakistan -- from Karachi to Khyber, and from Gwadar to Gilgit -- to set aside all differences and stand together to defend our beloved country,” Motiwala urged. “Now is not the time for division; it is the time to show the world that Pakistan stands united -- one nation, one people, one voice.”
He noted that the KCCI has always believed economic stability is national stability, and that the chamber has worked tirelessly for decades to empower industry, support exports, create jobs, and contribute to the national exchequer. “But in times of war or crisis, the full strength of the business community is devoted first and foremost to national defence,” he added.
“If required, we are ready to contribute our resources, networks and influence to support national preparedness through relief efforts or strategic planning. We assure the government and armed forces that the business community is not only willing but honoured to play its part in this patriotic duty,” he said.
He also appealed to the entire business community, trade associations, institutions and industries to stay prepared for any eventuality by swiftly adopting civil defence protocols and carrying out preparedness exercises.
Bilwani appealed to the international community -- particularly the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), China, the US, Russia and the European Union -- to take immediate and decisive action to de-escalate tensions. “It is essential that global powers intervene to prevent further loss of life, restore calm to the region and hold the Indian government accountable for its deliberate targeting of civilians, a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and all international norms of conflict,” he said.
Bilwani noted that Pakistan’s armed forces have consistently displayed strategic restraint and responsibility, but warned that they are not to be tested. “We never initiate aggression but will always respond to it decisively and with dignity. This is a time for our adversaries to understand that the spirit of Pakistan cannot be broken,” he added.
Paying tribute to the martyrs and the resilience of the people, Bilwani said the courage shown by families who lost loved ones in these attacks, by soldiers on the front lines, and by civilians living near the Line of Control (LoC) was nothing short of heroic. “They are the true defenders of Pakistan, and we stand beside them with pride and respect.”
Bilwani added, “The enemy’s objective is to distract us, divide us, and derail Pakistan’s progress -- but they will fail. Every missile that falls on our soil only strengthens our resolve. Every life lost becomes a reason to stand firmer, and every attack unites us even more.”
“We are proud to say that Pakistan is not alone. We are backed by the prayers of our people, the strength of our armed forces, and the principles of justice and peace. Our flag flies higher than ever today because it represents not just a country, but the unbreakable will of 240 million patriots,” he said.
Meanwhile, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) President Junaid Naqi strongly condemned India’s attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians. Calling the incident an alarming threat to regional peace and a blatant act of brutality, he expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families.
Naqi praised the swift response by Pakistan’s armed forces, who downed five enemy fighter jets, sending a clear message that the nation stands ever-ready to defend its sovereignty. “This action has demonstrated beyond doubt that Pakistan's defence is invincible, and no hostile force can shake our resolve,” he said.
Chairperson of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi, Senior Vice Chairman Syed Afzal Hameed, Vice Chairman Tariq Aziz, Chairman Southern Region Ahmad Owais Thanvi, and Vice Chairman Sub-Region Hyderabad Abdullah Jan Memon also strongly condemned India’s attack on Pakistan’s civilian population. They said India’s behaviour has become a serious threat to regional peace.
They paid tribute to the armed forces for their timely and effective response. The ABAD officials noted that women, children and innocent civilians were martyred in the attacks, which they described as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law.