Indian aggression threatens regional peace: Bugti

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that Indian aggression poses a serious threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire region’s peace.

He called it a dangerous situation that could destabilise the whole region and said that India’s motives must be exposed on the international stage.

Speaking on Wednesday during the discussion on the joint resolution against Indian aggression, the chief minister said when it comes to the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, political differences become secondary. This kind of unity is the hallmark of a living nation.

He said that he fully supports the unanimous resolution passed in the Balochistan Assembly condemning the baseless allegations and aggressive stance adopted by India following the Pahalgam attack. He expressed satisfaction that all opposition members, setting aside political differences, supported the resolution in the interest of national integrity.

He said the Pahalgam incident appears to be a staged operation in which the Indian government itself seems involved. He added that many previous incidents in India, especially in occupied Kashmir, have been traced back to Indian intelligence agencies.

He noted that war is never a viable solution, especially between nuclear-armed countries. However, if war is imposed, its consequences cannot be controlled. He reiterated that Pakistan will take every necessary step to safeguard its sovereignty and integrity, and the international community must take serious notice of the situation.

He added that India must be sent a clear message that the Pakistani nation will not tolerate any form of aggression. The chief minister said that the government of Balochistan, its people, and the assembly - which represents the entire province - stand firmly with the Pakistan armed forces. If India attempts any form of aggression, the people of Balochistan will stand united with their military.

Commenting on India’s recent statements about the Indus Waters Treaty, the chief minister said these are international bilateral agreements that cannot be terminated through unilateral declarations. If India seeks to terminate them, it would be tantamount to a declaration of war. The Pakistani nation considers water a matter of life and death, and any violation of the Indus Waters Treaty would be seen as an act of war and a blatant breach of international law, against which Pakistan will raise its voice at global forums.

He said Pakistan has always been a peace-loving country and has consistently worked to promote peace. But if war is imposed, Pakistan will deliver a strong and decisive response. He reminded that Pakistan had forcefully responded to Indian aggression in the past and will do so again, even more forcefully, if India makes another mistake. “We served tea to India before; this time, we’ll serve something else,” he remarked.

He thanked the Assembly for its strong support of the resolution and said that he wishes to send a message on behalf of Balochistan to the federal government and the Prime Minister of Pakistan: the people of Balochistan will fully support any decision made to protect the country’s integrity and will stand with the government of Pakistan at every step.