ISLAMABAD – In a high-stakes address to a joint session of Parliament, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari claimed on Monday that Indian leaders are actively preparing for a new military conflict. The statement comes amid peak regional volatility and follows a brief but intense military face-off between the two nuclear-armed neighbors last year.
“India’s leaders say they are preparing for another war. As a lifelong advocate of regional peace, I would not recommend it,” Zardari told lawmakers. He urged New Delhi to abandon military posturing in favor of resumed diplomatic negotiations.
Context of the Escalation
The President’s remarks refer to the lingering “war footing” following Operation Sindoor in May 2025—a four-day military engagement launched by India following terrorist attacks on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
| Issue | Pakistan’s Stance (Zardari Address) |
| India Relations | Claims India is preparing for war; calls for dialogue. |
| Afghanistan | Accuses the Taliban regime of providing “safe sanctuaries” to terrorists. |
| Regional Conflict | Condemned attacks on Iran and several Gulf nations (UAE, Qatar, etc.). |
| Internal Politics | Address marred by “Go Zardari Go” protests from PTI members. |
Multi-Front Security Concerns
Beyond India, Zardari highlighted a deteriorating security situation on Pakistan’s western border. Citing a recent UN report, he warned that the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan remains an “extra-regional threat.” He asserted that Pakistan would no longer tolerate its soil being used by foreign entities for destabilization.
Geopolitical Alignment
The speech also touched upon the widening Middle East conflict following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s “brotherly” support for Iran’s territorial integrity and condemned recent strikes across the Gulf cooperation countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Protests in the Aisles
The address—Zardari’s ninth to a joint session—was not without domestic friction. Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) staged a loud walkout and chanted slogans demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, temporarily drowning out the President’s remarks on regional security.
“The soil of Pakistan is sacred. We will not allow any entity—domestic or foreign—to use neighboring territory to destabilize our peace,” Zardari emphasized.
