ISLAMABAD: Amid heightened regional tensions following recent incidents in Indian-occupied Kashmir, a group of retired senior officers from Pakistan’s Armed Forces voiced strong support for the Pakistan Army and reaffirmed their readiness to defend the country against any future aggression from India.
Speaking at a press conference held in Islamabad on Tuesday, prominent retired officers — including Major General (Retd) Javed Aslam, Major General (Retd) Khalid Jaffery, Brigadier (Retd) Zareen Khan, Brigadier (Retd) Jamal, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Faheem Arshad, and Major (Retd) Waseem — stressed national unity and military preparedness in the face of what they termed “escalating hostilities.”
“We are a force of two million retired servicemen who stand ready to defend our homeland. Our bodies may have aged, but our spirits remain youthful and our resolve stronger than ever,” said Maj Gen (Retd) Javed Aslam. He cautioned that any act of aggression from India would be met with a “decisive and overwhelming” response.
Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Faheem Arshad emphasized Pakistan Air Force’s capabilities, stating, “Our pilots are among the finest in the world. The training they undergo and the spirit they carry set them apart. We do not rely on machines alone—it’s the men behind the machines who make the difference.”
Addressing the Kashmir issue, Brigadier (Retd) Zareen Khan delivered an emotionally charged statement. “We’ve waited over 70 years. If the UN continues to ignore us, we may be left with no choice but to act,” he said. Claiming that over 100,000 trained ex-servicemen from Kashmir were ready to mobilize, he urged the government to recognize the urgency of the situation and implement longstanding UN resolutions.
Major General (Retd) Khalid Jaffery accused India of manipulating narratives to deflect international scrutiny. “India’s pattern of blame and denial is well documented,” he said, citing events like the Ganga hijacking, Sikh massacres during U.S. presidential visits, and the Pulwama attack. He argued these were examples of “false flag operations” designed to vilify Pakistan.
Javed Aslam reiterated that the military remains vigilant and prepared, referencing the capture of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan in 2019. “We may be outnumbered, but we’re not outmatched,” he said. “If war is forced upon us, we are prepared to respond with full might.”
Major (Retd) Waseem concluded the session by noting that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness. “In Islam, war is a last resort. But if provoked, we will defend our nation with everything we have. Our soldiers are trained, motivated, and spiritually grounded.”
The press conference comes at a time of increased military exercises along the border and amid growing diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation in South Asia.
