KARACHI, May 21: Despite having ideological and political differences, almost all the politico-religious parties and intellectuals on Tuesday expressed solidarity and vowed to foil any aggression by India.

Ready to set aside all their differences at the hour of trial when the country is facing external challenges, the parties expressed unity with the government. “We may have bitter differences on many points, including on the recently-held presidential referendum, but any aggressive step from India will be responded with a matching force.”

Acting secretary-general of the Pakistan People’s Party, Raza Rabbani, said: “PPP will not leave the armed forces alone in case of any aggression by India because Pakistan is the first option for us.”

Expressing concern over the increasing tension on the border, he said the latest tension and threat of a potential nuclear war necessitated a political change in the country.

Former federal law minister Iqbal Haider said India never accepted Pakistan as a independent state and always tried to tarnish its image in the eyes of world community by concocted allegations.

The secretary-general of Jamaat-i-Islami, Syed Munawar Hassan, denounced the Indian designs and said that the whole nation was united to fight against the enemy in case of any misadventure.

“If India dared to attack Pakistan, the entire nation would defend every inch of the motherland by standing shoulder-to- shoulder with the armed forces,” he added.

He said although they had some bitter differences with the military government but even then they will fight side-by-side with the armed forces for the cause of Pakistan.

Senior vice-president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Ejaz Shafy, reacted strongly over the Indian unabated campaign against Pakistan, saying it would have some serious repercussions for India.

He said his party would fight the enemy by using all its resources shoulder-to-shoulder with the army if the enemy imposed a war on Pakistan.

He was of the view that the present government should realize the gravity of the situation and hand over power to the elected representatives to face Indian political government.

President PML (QA), Sindh, Ghous Bux Mehar, urged the people from different walks of life to forge unity among their ranks in the hour of trial.

“The time is not for blaming each others. There is a need for strengthening our ranks to counter Indian conspiracy to harm the country,” he added.

Secretary-general Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Meraj Mohammad Khan expressed his disappointment over the statements of Indian authorities against Pakistan and asked the nation to get united to foil Indian designs.

Central leader of Mohajir Qaumi Movement Iqbal Qureshi warned India of dire consequences and vowed that the whole nation would stand united to foil Indian aggression.

Central information secretary National People’s Party Syed Zia Abbas appreciating the professional abilities of Pakistan’s armed forces said they were fully prepared to thwart Indian aggression.—PPI