Sherry, Mushaal slam Indian army chief’s remarks, warn against ‘regional destabilisation’

• PPP leader says India frustrated by Pakistan’s growing diplomatic and strategic stature

• Sherry Rehman warns provocative rhetoric threatens peace in South Asia

• Mushaal Mullick calls Indian army chief’s statement reflection of Modi government’s desperation

• Peace voices emerging within India against confrontational policies, claims PPP vice president

 ISLAMABAD: Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman on Sunday strongly condemned what she termed the “hostile and provocative remarks” made by the Indian Army Chief against Pakistan, warning that such rhetoric posed a grave threat to regional peace and stability.

In a statement, Sherry Rehman said Pakistan’s consistent diplomatic, political and defence successes on the global stage had left India increasingly “frustrated and unsettled”.

She noted that the international community now recognises Pakistan as a responsible, dignified and significant nuclear power, adding that major world powers were actively engaging Islamabad on regional peace, conflict resolution and diplomatic cooperation.

Criticising what she described as India’s “war-driven mindset”, the PPP leader said New Delhi often resorted to aggressive posturing before eventually seeking international intervention for de-escalation.

Sherry Rehman further said voices advocating peace and dialogue were now emerging from within India itself, including from former military officials, RSS-linked circles and groups in Kashmir.

Highlighting domestic challenges facing India, she said the Indian public was already burdened by inflation and economic hardships amid the impact of ongoing global conflicts.

She urged the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respect the aspirations of its people for peace instead of pursuing confrontational policies that could destabilise the region further.

Referring to past tensions between the two neighbouring countries, Sherry Rehman said Pakistan had effectively demonstrated its defensive capabilities during “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos”, claiming that Indian aircraft were brought down during the confrontation.

She further stated that former US President Donald Trump had acknowledged Pakistan’s air superiority on multiple occasions. Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and national defence, the senator warned that any act of aggression would be met with a “strong and befitting response” from Pakistan’s armed forces and its people.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organisation and former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, also strongly condemned the recent remarks by the Indian Army Chief, terming them a reflection of the Modi government’s growing desperation, warmongering and political frustration.

Pakistan’s history was rooted in sacrifices, resilience, bravery and victories

In her statement issued on Sunday, Mushaal — wife of jailed Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Mohammad Yasin Malik — said Pakistan’s history was rooted in sacrifices, resilience, bravery and victories, warning those attempting to undermine the country’s resolve to remember the unity and strength of its people.

She said India should focus on its own deepening internal crises, rising unrest and widening divisions instead of resorting to provocative rhetoric against neighbouring states.

Referring to recent regional tensions, Mushaal said Pakistan’s armed forces had already demonstrated their professional capability and resolve during Marka-e-Haq, exposing what she called India’s aggressive posturing and misplaced assumptions of dominance.

She warned that threats of war in a nuclearised region were highly irresponsible, dangerous and reflective of poor judgment, adding that such inflammatory statements appeared aimed at diverting international attention away from the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Mushaal Hussein Mullick maintained that despite decades of oppression and repression, the spirit and aspirations of the Kashmiri people for freedom could not be crushed.

“No military force can suppress a people’s determination for dignity, justice, and peace,” she remarked.

She further warned that India’s politics of hatred, militarisation and aggressive nationalism were pushing South Asia towards instability and undermining prospects for lasting regional peace.