ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened an All Parties Conference as well as meetings for the inter-provincial National Action Plan and National Security to discuss the events surrounding India's firing at the Line of Control .

A statement released by the PM Office says Premier Sharif has called a meeting of heads of parliamentary parties on Monday to discuss the Kashmir issue, the situation along the LoC and regional developments.

PM Sharif has also called an inter provincial National Action Plan (NAP) meeting to be held early next week in which four provincial chief ministers have also been summoned along with the military leadership. The meeting will discuss progress on various points of the anti-terror plan.

The premier already convened a meeting of the national security committee on Tuesday in which all services chiefs, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee and federal minister for interior, finance, defense and advisor on foreign affairs will participate and will brief the meeting about developments in their respective ministries.

'We will defend our homeland against any aggression: PM Nawaz'

The prime minister stated during a Federal Cabinet meeting held on Friday that Pakistan will take all necessary steps to protect its people and territorial integrity in case of any aggression or violation of the Line of Control.

"We will defend our homeland against any aggression. The entire nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces," the premier said.

"Kashmir is the unfinished agenda of Partition, which cannot be wished away. The Indian atrocities cannot suppress the passions of the Kashmiri people," Nawaz said.

The Federal Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed the deteriorating situation in India-held Kashmir (IHK) and the ceasefire violations by India along the LoC.

Indian forces on Thursday morning opened fire across the LoC, leading to the death of two Pakistani soldiers. While India has claimed that what transpired yesterday was a "surgical strike," the cabinet today rejected the Indian claim of carrying out “surgical strikes." It was concluded that India has acted in complete violation of her commitments under bilateral arrangements as well as international law.

The prime minister said in order to achieve the government's goal of eliminating poverty and unemployment, peace was essential, but stated that in the face of hostility the country would have to be protected.

He also said Indian aggression poses a serious threat to regional peace and security, adding that the leadership and people of Pakistan are united in their resolve to counter any aggressive Indian designs.

The Cabinet praised the brave and valiant soldiers of the armed forces of Pakistan for their "befitting response" to the Indian aggression on Thursday.

The Cabinet deplored the allegations levelled against Pakistan by India regarding the Uri attack and stated that Indian statements and actions are a strategy to redirect attention away from Indian atrocities in IHK

During the meeting, the Cabinet called upon the international community to take notice of the massive human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in IHK, expressing concern over the killings of over 110 people there.

Pakistan cannot be coerced: Army chief

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif on Friday highlighted the army's preparedness to counter any "misadventure by our adversary" and said that the "highest state of vigilance" is being maintained along the Working Boundary and the eastern border, Inter-Services Public Relations said.

"Pakistan cannot be coerced through any amount of malicious propaganda," he said, adding, "Any misadventure by our adversary will meet the most befitting response from Pakistan."

The Army chief expressed satisfaction over Pakistan's response to India's unprovoked firing across the LoC a day earlier.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...