Islamabad,(Parliament Times):
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday declared that war remains Pakistan’s last option, urging India to abandon confrontation and return to meaningful negotiations, while warning that any aggression would be met with a decisive response.
Addressing a joint sitting of parliament at the start of the new parliamentary year, the president cautioned that Pakistan had only demonstrated a fraction of its capabilities in recent conflicts. “Make no mistake. We are ready,” he said, stressing that dialogue — not military escalation — is the only viable path to regional peace and security.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued diplomatic and moral support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that lasting peace in South Asia would remain elusive until Kashmiris achieved their right to self-determination.
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 parliament, provincial leaders, diplomats and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Opposition lawmakers staged a protest during the address, chanting slogans against the president.
Covering a wide range of national and international issues, President Zardari condemned the conflict involving Iran and expressed support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also denounced attacks on Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar, urging restraint and adherence to international law to prevent further regional destabilisation.
Referring to recent military operations, including Marka-e-Haq and Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, he said Pakistan initially exercised restraint in response to violations of its sovereignty but acted firmly when necessary. He praised the armed forces and security agencies for what he described as professional and disciplined responses to both Indian and Afghan-based threats.
The president warned that Pakistan would not tolerate terrorist sanctuaries operating from neighbouring territories. He alleged that despite diplomatic engagements, the Afghan Taliban regime continued to provide safe havens to militant groups such as Al-Qaeda, BLA and TTP, in violation of commitments made under the Doha agreement. Pakistan, he added, would defend its soil against any internal or external destabilisation.
On foreign policy, President Zardari welcomed efforts by the United States to help ease recent Pakistan-India tensions and expressed optimism about expanding strategic and economic cooperation with Washington. He also highlighted strengthening ties with China, noting that CPEC 2.0 would transform Pakistan’s infrastructure and connectivity, and thanked Beijing for its support during recent crises.
He underscored deepening relations with Gulf nations, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, calling the Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement a significant regional milestone.
Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding stance on Palestine, the president supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Turning to domestic matters, President Zardari criticised India’s actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, describing attempts to alter river flows as unlawful and harmful to Pakistan’s agricultural economy. He vowed to defend Pakistan’s water rights through legal and diplomatic means.
He stressed the importance of provincial autonomy, effective functioning of constitutional forums such as the Council of Common Interests, and a fair National Finance Commission Award. Special emphasis was placed on addressing the development needs of Balochistan while countering foreign-backed insurgency.
On the economy, the president acknowledged improvements after a period of instability but called for inclusive growth focused on job creation, tax reforms, energy sector restructuring and climate-resilient agriculture. He advocated expanding the Benazir Income Support Programme to assist vulnerable communities and emphasised empowering women through greater safety, digital access and financial inclusion.
Concluding his address, President Zardari urged unity in safeguarding sovereignty, combating terrorism and translating macroeconomic stability into tangible relief for citizens. He called on lawmakers to preserve national cohesion and institutionalise reforms for a stronger, more resilient Pakistan.