By Uzma Ehtasham
In a moment that laid bare the soul of a nation, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the martyrs of what is now etched in the national psyche as the “Battle of Truth.” Their remarks did not merely commemorate the fallen; they offered a resounding endorsement of Pakistan’s military professionalism, national unity, and the enduring spirit of sacrifice. President Zardari rightly stated that the Pakistan Armed Forces, through Operation Bunyān al-Marsos, shattered the enemy’s arrogance—an operation that was far more than a strategic response. It was an unequivocal message: Pakistan will never compromise its sovereignty. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed this sentiment, calling the martyrs and their families the nation’s true capital. He declared not only were our borders defended, but the enemy’s nefarious ambitions were crushed.
The deaths of over 40 innocent civilians, including women and children, serve as a grim reminder of India’s war-mongering impulses. But this confrontation, this Battle of Truth, was never just a military engagement. It was a national assertion of dignity, defiance, and survival. India’s provocation, marked by its habitual obstinacy and expansionist ambitions, triggered this aggression. But what New Delhi perhaps underestimated was the ferocity of Pakistan’s response. The armed forces met that challenge head-on and turned it on its head. For those who imagined Pakistan as distracted or diminished, the outcome was a sobering lesson. The myth of India’s numerical military superiority was shattered in real time—an outcome that stunned not just South Asia, but military observers worldwide. Where India sought to provoke, Pakistan unified. Where it tried to humiliate, Pakistan responded with clarity and courage.
The message delivered was not ambiguous. Each act of aggression will be met with a swift, decisive answer—not out of vengeance, but as a necessary duty to defend the homeland. These sacrifices are not moments of temporary retaliation; they are part of a continuous, generational resolve born with the very creation of Pakistan. The nation salutes its martyrs—today, tomorrow, and for all time. Their sacrifice is not forgotten, nor will it ever be. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post-Pahalgam address attempted to mask defeat with jingoistic rhetoric and fabricated narratives. The attempt to reframe humiliation as heroism failed to convince even India’s own observers. Pakistan’s Foreign Office was unequivocal: India’s language is steeped in hate, deceit, and false claims of victory. The world has seen Pakistan play a key role in the global fight against terrorism. It should not be so easily misled by Indian distortions.
At the heart of the ongoing discord lies the Kashmir issue, an unresolved conflict that continues to simmer. Its solution must reflect the United Nations’ resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people. While Pakistan has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution, India’s obstinacy has driven the region toward permanent instability. More worryingly, India’s brazen violation of the Indus Waters Treaty represents a grave escalation. This isn’t just a legal breach—it’s an attempt to weaponize water, to politicize a basic human right. Pakistan has rightly termed this act as a war provocation. The international community must wake up. If this treaty is undermined further, the region faces the specter of a full-blown crisis. Diplomatic relations have reached a precarious low. The expulsion of Pakistani diplomats from New Delhi and reciprocal steps by Islamabad indicate that the threshold for dialogue is quickly eroding.
In this context, President Trump’s diplomatic intervention calling for a ceasefire deserves acknowledgement. Yet words alone won’t suffice. The onus lies on the United States and other global powers to restrain India’s belligerent posture and offer more than symbolic guarantees of regional peace. India’s consistent violations of the ceasefire and provocative moves lay bare its intent. Pakistan’s policy of proportional response—of replying in kind—is not just legitimate, but essential. If India refuses to lift its imposed restrictions, Pakistan will be forced to maintain its countermeasures. Readiness must be absolute—on diplomatic, political, and military fronts alike. Pakistan has never sought conflict. It is a peace-loving nation. But its commitment to defence must never be mistaken for weakness. India must understand this clearly: the Pakistani nation and its armed forces stand united, alert, and resolute.
The Battle of Truth is irrefutable evidence of Pakistan’s capability to defend itself and its resolve to do so at any cost. India’s intentions are now transparent. Modi’s speech has only aggravated the already tense situation. The terms of the ceasefire are clear: India must lift the restrictions it unilaterally imposed. Pakistan, in parity, has enforced its own restrictions. If India fails to comply, Pakistan will not hesitate to respond in equal measure. However, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a red line. It is not just a matter of policy—it is about the survival of Pakistan and its people. This unilateral aggression has already been declared by Pakistan as an act of war. President Trump, as the guarantor of the ceasefire, must fulfil his responsibility and compel India to lift this suspension. If not, the consequences for regional peace could be catastrophic.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
