President Asif Ali Zardari delivered a powerful address to the joint session of Pakistan’s parliament on Monday, emphasizing that war should remain a last resort and urging India to abandon hostile actions in favor of meaningful diplomatic dialogue. He warned that Pakistan has already demonstrated only a fraction of its military capabilities to both India and Afghanistan, signaling a readiness to defend the nation decisively if provoked. “Make no mistake, we are prepared for any challenge,” the president declared, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to peace but also its resolve to protect its sovereignty.
In his annual parliamentary address, President Zardari called on India to shift focus from conflict zones to negotiation tables, stating that peaceful dialogue is the only viable path toward lasting regional security. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for freedom, stressing that the Kashmir issue remains central to Pakistan’s foreign policy. The session, co-chaired by Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, members of both houses of parliament, and dignitaries including the First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, provincial governors, chief ministers, and foreign diplomats.
Despite the solemnity of the occasion, opposition lawmakers staged protests during the president’s speech, chanting slogans demanding his resignation. This highlighted the ongoing political tensions within the country even as the president addressed critical national and international issues. President Zardari’s speech covered a broad spectrum of topics, including the Kashmir and Palestine conflicts, escalating tensions in the Gulf, Pakistan’s recent military operations Marka-e-Haq and Ghazab lil-Haq, violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, economic challenges, provincial autonomy, and poverty alleviation efforts.
Addressing the Kashmir conflict, the president emphasized that peace and security in South Asia cannot be achieved until the Kashmiri people attain their right to self-determination, free from Indian occupation. He condemned the war against Iran and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing condolences on the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Furthermore, he condemned recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar, urging all parties in the Gulf region to pursue peaceful negotiations to prevent further escalation and regional instability.
President Zardari praised the professionalism and discipline displayed by Pakistan’s armed forces during the Marka-e-Haq operation, which was launched in response to Indian violations of Pakistani sovereignty. He highlighted the unity of political leadership and the resilience of the Pakistani people during these challenging times. The president expressed deep gratitude to all security agencies, including the army, air force, navy, Rangers, Frontier Corps, police, and intelligence services, for their successful efforts in defending the country. Reflecting on his visits to the families of fallen soldiers, he shared the profound personal pain reminiscent of the loss of his late wife, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
While acknowledging his lifelong commitment to regional peace, President Zardari warned India against preparing for another war, cautioning that any aggressor would face a humiliating defeat. He reiterated Pakistan’s status as a responsible nuclear power, prepared to defend itself decisively when necessary. Regarding the Ghazab lil-Haq operation, he explained that Pakistan had exhausted all diplomatic avenues to avoid military confrontation with Afghanistan but was compelled to respond firmly to Taliban attacks. He made clear that Pakistan’s soil is sacred and vowed never to allow any domestic or foreign actor to use neighboring territories to destabilize the country’s peace.
The president criticized the Afghan Taliban regime for continuing to provide sanctuary to terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), despite multiple diplomatic efforts and assurances made in Doha. He urged the Taliban to dismantle these groups, warning that ongoing conflict only perpetuates suffering and undermines Afghanistan’s prospects for national unity and development. President Zardari emphasized Pakistan’s enduring kinship with the Afghan people and its commitment to dialogue, despite the challenges posed by terrorism.
Turning to international relations, President Zardari expressed appreciation for recent efforts by Pakistan and the United States to de-escalate tensions following the Pakistan-India conflict. He highlighted the opening of new avenues for strategic cooperation, investment, and economic partnerships between the two countries, expressing optimism for even more productive collaboration in the coming year. Similarly, he praised the deepening of Pakistan’s relationship with China, noting that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0 is set to transform Pakistan’s infrastructure landscape. The president extended gratitude to China for its steadfast support during the Marka-e-Haq operation and acknowledged President Xi Jinping’s role in advancing mutual goals of security and connectivity.
President Zardari also acknowledged strengthened ties with Gulf countries, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, highlighting the Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement as a significant milestone for regional security. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance on the Palestinian issue, condemning the destruction in Gaza and reaffirming support for the establishment of an independent, undivided Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital. Additionally, he congratulated Bangladesh on its recent elections and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations moving forward.
Addressing water security, the president condemned India’s unilateral actions to manipulate river flows and suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, labeling these moves as acts of “hydro-terrorism” that weaponize vital water resources for political leverage. He warned that such violations threaten Pakistan’s agricultural economy and contravene international and humanitarian law. President Zardari vowed that Pakistan would defend its water rights with unwavering unity, strength, and legal clarity to maintain regional stability.
On the domestic front, the president highlighted the importance of provincial autonomy in strengthening participatory governance. He stressed that a robust federation depends on coordination rather than centralization and called for effective functioning of constitutional forums like the Council of Common Interests. He urged resolution of issues related to natural resources, fiscal distribution, energy coordination, and water management through consultation, expressing anticipation for a fair and equitable National Finance Commission Award in the upcoming year.
Finally, President Zardari drew attention to the situation in Balochistan, emphasizing that while efforts continue to dismantle insurgencies fueled by foreign proxies, the legitimate social and economic grievances of the Baloch people are also being addressed. He affirmed that the people of Balochistan are integral partners in Pakistan’s progress and must remain so as the nation moves forward. His comprehensive address reflected a vision focused on national unity, regional peace, and sustained development amid complex challenges.
