Overview
- Declaring Pakistan’s soil “sacred,” President Asif Ali Zardari said no domestic or foreign actor would be allowed to exploit neighbouring territory to destabilise the country.
- He warned India that any aggressor should expect a firm response yet urged New Delhi to leave “war theatres” for meaningful negotiations, reiterating Kashmir’s centrality to regional security.
- Zardari accused India of weaponising river flows by putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, calling it “plain and simple hydro‑terrorism,” and vowed to defend Pakistan’s water rights.
- Citing a recent UN monitoring report, he pressed Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to dismantle sanctuaries used by groups including the TTP and BLA, asserting Pakistan’s right to self‑defence under the UN Charter.
- The address drew loud protests from opposition lawmakers demanding Imran Khan’s release, as Indian intelligence sources dismissed Zardari’s remarks as political posturing.