War is not child’s play, Zardari tells India

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH: President Zardari has said that Pakistan has given befitting reply to India when it resorted to aggression, adding that every citizen was committed to protecting the sovereignty of the country.

Addressing Shaheed Benazir’s 18th death anniversary at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, President Zardari told India that was not a child play.

President Zardari said that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has firmly responded to Indian aggression, adding that New Delhi realised that war was “not a child’s play” after Pakistan’s decisive stance.

The President said Pakistan’s commander-in-chief answered India “by looking into the eyes of the eternal enemy.” He said India could not sustain the conflict for even four days, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must now understand that war requires courage, resolve and sacrifice.

President Zardari praised Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying his leadership gave India a clear and befitting response. He said the army chief stood firm with the nation and played a key role in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Zardari claimed the international community is now acknowledging Pakistan’s stance and leadership, adding that even former US president Donald Trump had praised Field Marshal Asim Munir.

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Recalling the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, the president said the country was saved by raising the slogan of “Pakistan Khappay,” which helped prevent chaos and instability.

He said Benazir Bhutto’s sacrifice strengthened Pakistan’s democratic journey and national unity at a critical moment.

President Zardari challenged India’s claims of military superiority, saying numbers alone do not win wars.

“To fight, one needs a heart and a kidney,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan could have shot down more Indian aircraft if it wanted.

He warned that anyone who looks at Pakistan’s land with ill intent will receive a strong response, stressing that Pakistan desires peace but remains fully prepared to defend itself.

Zardari said the country’s economy was damaged by a previous government, but relations with the international community are now improving alongside economic recovery efforts.

He reiterated that Pakistan is not eager for war, but its armed forces are ready to respond decisively whenever the country’s sovereignty is threatened.

Sharing a personal moment, the president said that during the conflict he was advised to move to a bunker but refused, stating that “leaders never die in bunkers.”

He concluded by saying that whenever the motherland calls, Pakistanis will not hesitate to sacrifice their lives, minds and resources for the country.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said victory against India was the biggest achievement of Pakistan during 2025, adding that ZA Bhutto made this country an atomic power.

Bilawal said 18 years have passed since Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom, adding that the people gathered from all four provinces are the strongest response to terrorists and her assassins.

He said the world receives the message that Benazir Bhutto lives on through the love of her supporters.

Bilawal stated that Pakistan’s victory against India in May was a victory for the entire nation and was acknowledged globally. He said sacrifices associated with Garhi Khuda Bakhsh contributed to Pakistan becoming a nuclear power.

He added that Asif Ali Zardari strengthened friendship with China by laying the foundation of CPEC.

Speaking on the economy, Bilawal said the country is facing political and economic challenges, stressing that PPP considers federal problems as its own and is committed to public relief.

He highlighted PPP-led initiatives including the Benazir Income Support Programme, free healthcare facilities, housing for poor women in Sindh, and agricultural reforms.

Bilawal emphasized that Benazir Bhutto’s final message was reconciliation, saying political extremism must be abandoned to overcome national crises. He urged all political forces to bring politics back within democratic limits and think in the national interest.

Bilawal said the PPP was a federal party that conducted politics at the national and provincial levels with sincerity, considering the Centre’s issues and problems to be its own.

“If there is an issue of fiscal space for the federal government, then as a patriot, I would want to solve it. The PPP has its own politics and history, and as the chain binding the four provinces, we have a greater responsibility to want to solve the Centre’s issue while protecting provincial rights.

“We think that instead of attempts to snatch authority from provinces, it would be better if the federal government gives further responsibilities to the provinces. We are ready to take on further responsibilities to fix the economy and government’s issues.”

He pointed to tax collection, saying the federal government should work together with provincial governments and assign them further responsibilities in this regard to increase collection.

“We will collect better taxes than the Federal Board of Revenue and eliminate your financial crises.” He said the government should also remove itself from the business of supplying electricity through power supply utility companies and instead hand it over to the provinces.

“We will perform better than the Centre … There are many other ways in which the PPP will work together with the federal government and solve their issues. We should all eliminate Pakistan‘s economic issues together so we can solve the people’s financial issues.”

Earlier, huge crowd gathered at Garhi Khuda Buksh to observe the 18th anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto today with a dedicated commemoration.

The Pakistan People’s Party’s leadership, along with party workers from across Pakistan, will participate in the event featuring floral tributes, prayers, and reflections on her life and sacrifices.

On this day, 2007, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a gun-and-suicide attack while addressing an election rally at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi, which claimed her life.

Benazir Bhutto served as Pakistan’s first female prime minister from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996, becoming the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation through democratic elections. Her legacy continues to inspire efforts toward a progressive Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Naudero on Saturday morning where Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah welcomed them.

Both President Zardari and Bilawal will address a huge public gathering to mark the Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Sindh Home Minister Zai Lanjar and other leaders have also reached Garhi Khuda Buksh where 10,000 policemen have been deployed for strict security.

Meanwhile, a high-level government delegation attended the martyrdom anniversary ceremony of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in Garhi Khuda Baksh on Saturday.

The delegation led by Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and consisted of PM’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Members of the National Assembly.

The delegation participated in the anniversary ceremony on the special instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and also met central leadership of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party.

Paying homage to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said today the nation is observing the death anniversary of Pakistan’s great daughter. He said she played a significant role in empowering women and took valuable steps for the protection of minorities’ rights.

The Speaker said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed worked tirelessly to make Pakistan a peaceful, progressive, and democratic state.