Lahore, Pakistan – Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah, has reaffirmed Pakistan’s defensive stance amid escalating tensions with Afghanistan, declaring that while Pakistan seeks peace, it will respond with full force if provoked.
“Our policy is clear. Pakistan will never be an aggressor. But if attacked, we won’t hold back. The score may now be beyond zero-six,” Rana Sanaullah said in Lahore, alluding to past cross-border provocations.
Speaking to reporters, he said that Pakistan has always supported Afghanistan, hosting millions of refugees and advocating peace. However, he expressed deep regret that despite these gestures, Pakistan continues to face cross-border terrorism. “We cannot keep lifting the coffins of our soldiers and civilians. The line must be drawn between terrorists and ordinary citizens,” he added.
Sanaullah also called upon political parties, including the PTI, to unite behind the Charter for a Stable Pakistan (Misaq-e-Istehkam-e-Pakistan), an initiative introduced by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to strengthen national unity. “You can criticize the government all you want, but stand with Pakistan’s armed forces and its martyrs. Only then will a way forward open,” he urged.
He praised Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership, calling the recent border response “a powerful message to hidden enemies” who attempt to destabilize Pakistan. “For the first time in decades, the entire nation witnessed a decisive and honorable moment of defense,” he said.
Sanaullah reiterated that Pakistan’s strength lies in unity and resilience. “We will always prefer dialogue, but if anyone challenges Pakistan’s sovereignty, our response will be swift, precise, and unforgettable.”
