FO slams India for ‘distorting' COAS Munir's remarks
Field Marshal Munir, who concluded his second high-profile US trip in less than two months, attended the US Central Command's change of command ceremony in Tampa, Florida, and later addressed a black-tie dinner hosted by Pakistan's honorary consul.
The FO said in a statement that comments made by the army chief at the event had been misrepresented by Indian media and the MEA.
Earlier in the day, the Indian MEA accused Pakistan of 'nuclear sabre-rattling' and questioned its nuclear command and control. It also criticised the remarks for allegedly being made 'from the soil of a friendly third country.'
Field Marshal Munir attends CENTCOM change of command ceremony in US
Rejecting the statement as 'immature' and 'misleading,' the FO said Pakistan remained opposed to the use or threat of force and maintained a responsible nuclear posture under full civilian control. It accused India of warmongering and issuing 'unfounded allegations bereft of rationality.'
The FO also dismissed Indian insinuations linking Pakistan to terrorism, saying the country's counterterrorism record was internationally acknowledged and its security forces remained a 'bulwark against terrorism.'
It warned that any Indian aggression or violation of Pakistan's sovereignty would be met with an 'immediate and matching response,' placing the onus for any escalation squarely on Indian leadership.
The statement comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions following the brief but intense May military escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, which ended after US intervention.
Relations between India and Washington have also cooled in recent weeks amid trade disputes and new US tariffs on Indian goods.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
42 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
50 militants killed along Afghan border
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has killed a total of 50 Indian-sponsored militants in a four-day counterterrorism operation in the Sambaza area of Zhob District, Balochistan. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the latest engagement took place on the night of August 10–11, when security forces conducted a deliberate sanitisation operation in areas surrounding Sambaza, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. During the operation, three more militants were eliminated, while weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from their possession. These follow-up actions came after earlier successful engagements during August 7–9, in which 47 militants were killed in the same general area. The ISPR reaffirmed that security forces remain committed to defending the country's frontiers and foiling any attempts to undermine peace, stability, and progress in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
42 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
PM issues stern warning to India over water rights
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday issued a stern warning to India over water rights amid ongoing disputes surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), declaring that any attempt to disrupt Pakistan's water supply would be met with a resolute response. Speaking at a function to mark the International Youth Day, the prime minister declared emphatically that not a single drop of water would be taken from Pakistan. 'If you [India] threaten to cut off our water, remember this – you cannot take even a single drop from Pakistan,' he stated. 'Should you dare to do so, we will teach you a lesson so severe that you will be left holding your ears in regret. Pakistan will never be harmed.' Sharif also recounted the events of May, when he said the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down six Indian aircraft, including four Rafale jets, during a four-day conflict, and lauded the military's performance during what he described as a brief but intense confrontation. 'In those four days, our brave soldiers delivered a lesson to Indian that they will never forget,' he maintained. Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, Sharif emotionally referenced the resolve of soldiers' families. 'These are the sons and soldiers of our Armed Forces, whose mothers prayed for them at the battlefield – 'Go and raise the flag of Pakistan high, defend our borders, and if necessary, lay down your lives. Do not return home unless victorious.'' The prime minister's remarks also coincided with National Minorities Day, observed a day earlier, where he honoured religious minorities for their vital contributions across sectors such as health, education, and defence. 'Our Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and other minority citizens have played an indispensable role, not only in the creation of Pakistan but in building the nation as it stands today,' he affirmed. 'Their service across every field is nothing short of remarkable.' Speaking ahead of Independence Day on 14 August, Sharif invoked the memory of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the nation, framing the present as a moment for national renewal and youth-led reconstruction. 'A new Pakistan is emerging,' he said, reiterating military's successes especially in the May's skirmishes between the two arch rival countries. While acknowledging India's numerical and resource superiority, Sharif struck a defiant tone. 'India is five times our size and once took pride in its military might,' he asserted. 'That pride was shattered on 10 May.' The prime minister also unveiled a national initiative to provide laptops to students on interest-free instalments under a revived 'Laptop for All' scheme. He pledged the distribution of 100,000 laptops across Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and other provinces would be strictly merit-based. 'There will be no political favouritism, no recommendations,' he said. 'This was my policy in Punjab, and it remains so today. Only merit will build a stronger Pakistan.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
42 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
US, Pakistan hold counter-terrorism talks in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States held the latest round of the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism (CT) Dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday, reaffirming their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both delegations underscored the critical importance of developing effective approaches to terrorist threats, including those posed by Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. According to Joint Press Statement issued by Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson, the dialogue was co-chaired by Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir and US Department of State Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory D. LoGerfo. The United States applauded Pakistan's continued successes to contain terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world. Furthermore, FO spokesperson remarked, the United States expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including the barbaric Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar. Both delegations emphasized the importance of building stronger institutional frameworks and developing capabilities to respond to security challenges and to counter the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to work closely in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, to promote effective and enduring approaches to counterterrorism. Reaffirming the long-standing partnership between Pakistan and the United States, both sides emphasized that sustained and structured engagement remains vital to countering terrorism and promoting peace and stability. Meanwhile, the U.S. Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory D. LoGerfo, Tuesday called on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The DPM/FM Dar was briefed on the discussions held during the Pakistan- U.S. CT Dialogue. The DPM/FM encouraged sustained and structured bilateral engagement on counterterrorism between both countries, as a vital contributor to peace & stability in the region and beyond. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
