<\/p>\n
\u2022 President Alvi says Pakistan will take \u2018all necessary measures to defend its soil\u2019
\u2022 Shehbaz praises nation for \u2018fitting diplomatic, military steps\u2019
\u2022 Zardari insists fraternal relations possible only on basis of equality<\/p>\n
ISLAMABAD: The country\u2019s political leadership, including President Dr Arif Alvi and representatives from various parties, have commended the armed forces for retaliatory strikes in Iran, describing them as an inevitable action for national security.<\/p>\n
According to a statement issued by the President\u2019s Secretariat, President Alvi said Pakistan would not compromise on its national security and territorial integrity and would take \u201call necessary measures to defend its soil\u201d.<\/p>\n
He lauded the professionalism of the armed forces of Pakistan that targeted the terrorist hideouts in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran, while avoiding the civilian casualties.<\/p>\n
The president said terrorism was a common challenge that required global efforts for its elimination. \u201cPakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and expects the same from other nations not to violate international law,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistan and Iran were brotherly countries and they needed to resolve issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.<\/p>\n
PML-N President and former premier Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan\u2019s territorial integrity and the well-being of its citizens were paramount.<\/p>\n
\u201cPakistan has taken fitting diplomatic and military steps for peace and security. We seek peace between our two neighbourly countries but reserve the right to defend ourselves. The nation salutes our valiant armed forces for Op\u00ad\u00aderation Marg Bar Sarmachar,\u201d he twe\u00adeted, referring to the operation under which Pakistan on Thursday morning struck militant hideouts in Iran.<\/p>\n
Former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari also insisted that any country that looked at Pakistan with ill intentions would be given a response accordingly. Mr Zardari said that Pakistan was a peace-loving country, but those who wish to target it should think a hundred times before doing so.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have always advocated for peace around the globe and have prioritised it as well,\u201d he said. \u201cPakistan Army is among the best in the world and our forces know how to defend the country, and we desire cordial and fraternal relations with our neighbours but only on the basis of equality.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PTI also described the air strikes carried out by Pakistan as the right to self-defence.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Imran Khan\u2019s party said it stood firmly with the armed for\u00adces in the face of any foreign aggression to defend and safeguard the motherland.<\/p>\n
It said that Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security were of utmost importance, and no compromise would be made in this regard.<\/p>\n
JUI-F Central Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri criticised the violation of Pakistani airspace by Iran and said that the action by Pakistan was the best possible move under the circumstances. \u201cIran is a neighbouring country, but it should not cross borders,\u201d Maulana Haideri said.<\/p>\n
The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PES) also appreciated the government and the armed forces for immediately responding to Iran\u2019s hostile acts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIran\u2019s missile and drone attacks inside Pakistan was not only an aggressive act and unprovoked violation of the country\u2019s air space and international law but also a shocking diplomatic blunder committed by Iran which deflected the world\u2019s attention from Israeli atrocities,\u201d PES President Abdul Qayyum said at a press conference.<\/p>\n
Mr Qayyum, a retired lieutenant general, said Pakistan kept tracking Kulbhushan Jadhav\u2019s movements in Iran for years but raided his hideout only when he was in Pakistan\u2019s territory.<\/p>\n