Pakistan prioritizes peace, ready for war if needed: DG ISPR

(Web Desk): DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stated that Pakistan prioritizes peace and loves peace, but is always ready for war if necessary.

In an interview with the BBC, he emphasized that an atomic war between Pakistan and India would be sheer foolishness, as it could lead to mutual destruction for both countries. He described nuclear war as an inconceivable and irrational concept.

Lieutenant General Chaudhry further mentioned that Pakistan seeks peace, but if war is imposed, the country is always ready for it.

He criticized India, saying that India is playing with fire due to its narrative, creating false narratives every few years. The world has come to realize that India's stance from the very beginning has been baseless.

In light of recent developments, he stated that Pakistan responded with great maturity and prevented escalation of tensions. He said that if there is evidence of Pakistan's involvement in extremist incidents, it should be presented so that Pakistan can take action itself.

He reiterated that Pakistan values peace and celebrates peace within its borders. While the country is always prepared for war, he stressed that if war is required, then war it shall be. He also acknowledged that the core dispute still exists and that a spark can be ignited at any time. He pointed out that despite the passage of several days since May 10, the narrative being propagated in India is still ongoing.

When asked about India’s approach, he noted that India's current rhetoric seems aimed at improving its internal politics. He questioned whether any responsible political leadership in India was showing concern about the security lapses surrounding the Pahalgam incident, mentioning that no one in the Indian government is questioning how such a major security breach occurred. He added that India is unwilling to listen to voices calling out the oppression and injustices.

Lieutenant General Chaudhry highlighted that on the night between May 9 and 10, Pakistan gave India a measured, coordinated, and proportional response, using conventional military power on a limited scale while demonstrating Pakistan’s technical capabilities effectively. He stated that after this, India began to retreat and suddenly expressed a desire to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue.