Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal has alleged that India is “fighting back like a wounded fox” and attempting to destabilise Pakistan through covert means after facing defeat on the battlefield.
Addressing a corner meeting in Shakargarh, he said India’s “tricks to humiliate Pakistan” have been exposed before the world.
The minister stated that Pakistan’s armed forces gave a “befitting response” to Indian aggression, proving that “no one can cast a malicious eye on the Pakistani nation.” He claimed that after its failure, India activated its facilitators within Pakistan to create internal unrest.
Iqbal said the armed forces were now fighting terrorism with renewed strength, particularly against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which he blamed on the previous government led by Imran Khan. “Operation Zarb-e-Azb had completely eradicated terrorism and restored peace,” he said. “But during Imran Khan’s rule, these people were brought back from Afghanistan and resettled in Pakistan. They have restarted terrorism, but just as we defeated them before, we will defeat them again, God willing.”
Referring to recent regional developments, the minister linked the Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit to India, cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, and a religious party’s long march in Pakistan, suggesting a coordinated effort to create instability. “If all these links are put together, even a child can understand who is behind it and who their facilitators are,” he remarked.
He criticised political groups for exploiting the Gaza conflict for domestic unrest, saying Pakistan had played a positive role in bringing peace to Gaza. “Now that peace has been established, people in Gaza are rebuilding their homes. So why are you spreading unrest here in the name of Gaza and causing deaths of innocent people — whether in the police or among your workers?” he questioned.
Ahsan Iqbal further accused a religious party of being “the product of General Faiz,” referring to the 2018 Faizabad sit-in.
“They were formed to cut off the Barelvi vote from the Muslim League-Nawaz so that we could be defeated in the elections,” he alleged, adding that the sit-in eventually led to Pakistan’s inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
He condemned the use of religion for political gains, asserting that the love and honor of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) belong to every Muslim, not to any specific group. “No one has a monopoly over the sanctity of the Prophet (PBUH). Every Muslim is the protector of his honor. Those who exploit his name to sow division in the Ummah are the real cause of disunity,” he said.
The minister urged people to “recognize the faces” of those creating unrest under the guise of religion, adding that unity and stability were vital for Pakistan’s security and progress.