Pak ready to defend itself, nobody can cast evil eye: Sharif

TERMING “INDIAN aggression” as a threat to the entire region, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday warned that Pakistan was also capable of executing surgical strikes and would not allow anyone to “cast an evil eye” on it.

Chairing a special Cabinet meeting to review the security situation in the country, Sharif said Pakistan would take all necessary steps to protect its people and territorial integrity in case of any aggression or violation of the Line of Control (LOC).

He said that Indian aggression constituted a threat to the entire region and Pakistan would take all measures to protect its territorial integrity, The Express Tribune reported.

“No one will be allowed to cast an evil eye on Pakistan,” Sharif said, adding that Pakistan was fully capable of executing surgical strikes. “The nation is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the valiant armed forces to defend the motherland.”

His comments came a day after India conducted surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LOC. Pakistan has dismissed as “fabrication of truth” India’s claim and termed it as a “quest” by India to create media hype by rebranding crossborder fire as surgical strike.

He said Pakistan’s commitment to peace must not be construed as weakness.

Sharif also raised the Kashmir issue and said that it was the “unfinished agenda of Partition”. He said that atrocities in Kashmir could not crush Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Calling for a probe into the September 18 Uri attack, Sharif said blaming Pakistan for orchestrating the attack was beyond comprehension. PTI

All steps would be taken to prevent LOC violations, said the Pak Prime Minister.