PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Wednesday condemned Indian aggression against Pakistan and assured the security forces of complete cooperation and support for a “befitting response to the blatant act of hostility.”

It also urged the international community to take urgent notice of India’s hostile behaviour, which, it said, is threatening the security of the entire region.

“The cabinet reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to the defence of the country and pledged that all necessary sacrifices would be made to protect the homeland,” spokesman for the provincial government Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif told reporters after an emergency cabinet meeting here.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, was called to discuss the situation arising from India’s military strikes inside Pakistani territory.

Assures security forces of support for ‘befitting reply to India’s blatant act of hostility’

Mr Saif said for the people and government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the country came first—above all political, personal or regional considerations, so they would defend every inch of the homeland with unity, determination and faith.

He said the cabinet declared India’s belligerent actions highly condemnable and regrettable, especially the targeting of civilian population under the cover of darkness.

The spokesman said the Indian military strikes were a flagrant violation of international law and norms.

“While sending a clear message to India, the cabinet declared that the provincial government stood fully united and prepared to defend every inch of the country at all costs,” he said.

Mr Saif said the cabinet paid rich tribute to the country’s security forces for their immediate and forceful response to Indian aggression and expressed complete solidarity with them on behalf of the people and government of the province.

He said the cabinet called on the international community to take urgent notice of India’s hostile behaviour as it was risking regional security.

The spokesman said the cabinet expressed solidarity with the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab and assured them of all possible support for the defence of the motherland.

He said that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s aggressive policies were not only endangering Pakistan but the security of Indian people and their country as well.

“The aggressive posture of India’s fascist regime poses a constant threat to regional peace,” he said.

Mr Saif said that the cabinet warned the Indian government against taking Pakistan’s desire for peace as a weakness.

“We will always respond in the same coin, rather than more than that” the cabinet warned.

“We believe in the prophecy of Ghazwa-i-Hind and that victory will be for Muslims. It will be our honour to be part of it because as Muslims, martyrdom is the highest honour and we are always ready to embrace it,” Mr Saif quoted the chief Minister as saying.

The spokesman said the cabinet emphasised the urgent need for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan from the jail for inclusion in the national consultation on the issue.

He said the cabinet underscored that Mr Khan, as the most popular and trusted political leader in the country, should be part of any collective national strategy to effectively counter the growing threats from hostile India.

Mr Saif also expressed concern over the persistent threat posed by terrorists, who, he alleged, are being “supported and funded by the fascist Indian regime.”

He said the KP government and residents were committed to confronting and eliminating terrorists, just as they stood united in the face of Indian hostility.

The spokesman said the cabinet was briefed on the evolving situation and the steps proposed for handling any eventuality, which were later endorsed by participants.

He said the cabinet members stressed that national unity was paramount at the current critical juncture and that the “Form-47 bogus” federal government should do away with its bias and release the PTI founder immediately for inclusion in national discourse.

Mr Saif said excluding Mr Khan from the national discourse during such a “defining period” would be detrimental to the spirit of national unity and cohesion.

Speaker of the KP Assembly Babar Saleem Swati and leader of the opposition Dr Ibadullah also attended the meeting on special invitation. The other participants included cabinet members, chief secretary, inspector general of police, additional chief secretaries and administrative secretaries, commissioners and deputy commissioners.

They offered Fateha for the martyrs, speedy recovery of the injured, and safety and security of the nation.

The cabinet expressed sympathy with the civilians affected by the Indian aggression and pledged every possible support for their relief and rehabilitation.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2025