ISLAMABAD, May 07, The National Security Committee (NSC) has
allowed “total freedom” to the Armed Forces of Pakistan for taking
“every possible” step in response to India’s un provocative, deliberate
and cowardly attacks on civilians.
A declaration was issued in Islamabad after the NSC meeting which was
held at PM House under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on
Wednesday.
The NSC huddle has condemned the “illegal acts” by India as “blatant
violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which
manifestly constituted acts of war under international law”.
“The deliberate targeting of civilians, including innocent women and
children, by the Indian military constitutes a heinous and shameful
crime, that is in violation of all norms of human behavior and the
provisions of international law,” said the statement which added the NSC
has said that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to India’s
airstrikes in “self-defence” at a time, place and manner of its
choosing, with the military authorized to take “corresponding actions”.
Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, the NSC said that Pakistan has the
right to retaliate in self-defence to “avenge the loss of innocent
Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty”.
“The armed forces of Pakistan have duly been authorized to undertake
corresponding actions in this regard,” read the statement, adding
“Deeply anguished by India’s naked aggression, the entire Pakistani
nation greatly appreciates and admires the bravery and courage of the
armed forces and their timely action in the defence of their motherland.
The nation stands galvanised and resolute in the face of any further
aggression.”
The NSC also called upon the international community to hold India
accountable for its deadly strikes in Punjab and AJK, terming them
“blatant violations” of international laws. The NSC called upon the
world to “recognise the gravity of India’s unprovoked illegal actions
and to hold it accountable for its blatant violations of international
norms and laws”.
The statement asserted: “Pakistan remains committed to peace, with
dignity and honour, and reiterates that it shall never allow any
violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity or permit any harm
to its proud people.”
Following is the text of the NSC statement released by the Prime
Minister’s Office in Islamabad:
The National Security Committee (NSC) was convened under the
chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The forum offered Fateha for the souls of the
innocent civilians martyred in India’s strikes, extended its heartfelt
condolences to the near ones of the martyrs and wished a speedy recovery
to the injured. The NSC deliberated upon the grave developments arising
out of India’s unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war.
On the night of 6/7 May 2025, the Indian armed corces launched
coordinated missile, air and drone strikes on multiple locations within
Pakistan’s sovereign territory, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke
and Bahawalpur in Punjab, Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and
Kashmir. These unprovoked and unjustified attacks deliberately targeted
the civilian areas, on the false pretext of presence of imaginary
terrorist camps, resulting in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and
children, and causing damage to the civilian infrastructure, including
mosques. India’s act of aggression also caused grave danger to
commercial airlines belonging to brotherly gulf countries, endangering
the lives of thousands of on-board passengers. Besides, the
Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project was also deliberately targeted in
violation of international conventions.
The NSC unequivocally condemned these illegal acts as blatant violations
of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which manifestly
constituted acts of war under international law. The deliberate
targeting of civilians, including innocent women and children, by the
Indian military constitutes a heinous and shameful crime, that is in
violation of all norms of human behaviour and the provisions of
international law.
Pakistan has been emphatically rejecting Indian allegations claiming the
presence of terrorist camps on its territory. It would also be recalled
that immediately after 22 April 2025, Pakistan made a sincere offer for
a credible, transparent and neutral investigation, which unfortunately
was not accepted. The international media personnel had already visited
these “imaginary terrorist camps” on 6 May 2025, and more visits were
planned for 7 May 2025.
However, apprehensive of its falsehood being exposed, and without a
shred of evidence about its claims, the Indian leadership, bereft of any
morality, has now gone to the extent of attacking innocent civilians in
order to satiate its delusional thoughts and short-sighted political
objectives. Attacking its innocent people is neither tolerable nor
acceptable to Pakistan. India, against all sanity and rationality has
once again ignited an inferno in the region, the responsibility for
ensuing consequences shall lie squarely with India.
The Armed Forces of Pakistan, in line with the exercise of the right of
self-defence and response framework outlined in NSC statement dated 22
April 2025, resolutely defended the territorial integrity of Pakistan,
including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, against the Indian aggression, while
also bringing down five Indian fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial
vehicles in the process.
In consonance with Article-51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the
right to respond, in self-defence, at a time, place, and manner of its
choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant
violation of its sovereignty. The Armed Forces of Pakistan have duly
been authorized to undertake corresponding actions in this regard.
Deeply anguished by India’s naked aggression, the entire Pakistani
nation greatly appreciates and admires the bravery and courage of the
Armed Forces and their timely action in the defense of their motherland.
The nation stands galvanized and resolute in the face of any further
aggression.
The NSC calls upon the international community to recognize the gravity
of India’s unprovoked illegal actions and to hold it accountable for its
blatant violations of international norms and laws.
Pakistan remains committed to peace, with dignity and honour, and
reiterates that it shall never allow any violation of its sovereignty,
territorial integrity or permit any harm to its proud people