Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Thursday that Pakistan disproved the notion of India’s conventional warfare superiority during the recent conflict between the two nuclear-armed South Asian nations.
The Prime Minister made these comments while addressing a ceremony in Muzaffarabad for the distribution of compensation checks to the families of those who achieved martyrdom in the recent Marka-e-Haq – the recent Pakistan-India war.
He further added that a war had erupted between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, which could have escalated dangerously. “The repercussions of the war could have been dire,” the premier noted.
Referring to the Pahalgam incident as “regrettable,” the premier reiterated that New Delhi had leveled baseless accusations against Islamabad.
PM Shehbaz affirmed that the government successfully convinced the international community that India’s allegations were founded on falsehoods, and that the Pahalgam incident was part of an Indian conspiracy.
He maintained that Pakistan had proposed an impartial international investigation into the Pahalgam incident, but India disregarded the offer and subsequently attacked Pakistan.
Shehbaz added that Pakistan’s armed forces delivered a fitting response to Indian aggression, downing six IAF fighter jets instead of targeting civilian populations.
“A measured response was provided to India while exercising the right to self-defense,” the premier emphasized.
“The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would now contemplate a hundred times before launching another attack on Pakistan.”
It is important to note that Pakistan’s armed forces initiated a large-scale retaliatory military action, codenamed ‘Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,’ targeting several Indian military installations across multiple regions in response to unprovoked strikes on the night between May 6 and 7.
These strikes, described by officials as “precise and proportionate,” were executed in response to India’s persistent aggression across the Line of Control (LoC) and within Pakistan’s territory, which New Delhi claimed were aimed at “terrorist targets.”
Pakistan successfully downed six fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and dozens of drones. After approximately 86 hours, the conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States.
The military confrontation between the two countries was triggered by last month’s attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. India had attributed the attack to Pakistan without presenting any supporting evidence.
Compensation Package for War-Affected Individuals
PM Shehbaz also announced a comprehensive compensation package for civilians and military personnel affected during the recent conflict with India.
Under this compensation framework, PM Shehbaz stated that the legal heirs of each martyred civilian would receive Rs10 million, while injured individuals would be awarded between Rs1 million and Rs2 million each.
He elaborated that the heirs of martyred armed forces members would receive between Rs10 million and Rs18 million, depending on their ranks, adding that families would be provided up to Rs42 million for housing.
“Families of martyrs will continue to receive the full salary until the soldier’s designated retirement date, free education for their children through graduation, and a marriage grant of Rs1 million for one daughter. Each injured personnel would receive between Rs2 million and Rs5 million,” the premier further added.
