Pakistan shall respond at time and place of its choosing: NSC meeting

A special meeting of the National Security Committee chaired by the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said India committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at time and place of its choosing. The meeting was held at his office on Tuesday. It was attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, COAS, CNS, CAS, and other civil and military officials. However, Pakistan rejected the Indian claim of targeting terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties. More than 10 bombs were dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am. 

The Pakistan government has decided a joint session of the Parliament. Prime minister has summoned a special meeting of NCA on February 27.  Imran Khan has directed that elements of national power including the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan to remain prepared for all eventualities, Radio Pakistan reported.

Earlier, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan holds the right to self-defence and a befitting response. The Indian Air Force carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on Tuesday and destroyed major launch pads of terrorists in Pakistan’s Balakot. “We kept on telling the world that this could happen… they carried out aggression against Pakistan today. India violated the LoC . Pakistan holds the right to self-defence and a befitting response,” Qureshi told media, after chairing an emergency consultative meeting at the Foreign Office. The meeting at the Foreign Office was attended by former foreign secretaries and senior diplomats, and held consultations over the prevailing situation. 

"Clouds of danger are lingering over Pakistan and we can see aggression," Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. "An aggressive segment is bent on risking regional peace for its political gains," he added. "Indian leadership has become flustered in trying to achieve its political gains," Geo News quoted Qureshi as saying. 

Qureshi further said, "We are a responsible nation and have to move forward responsibly, wisely and patiently." 

Stating that Prime Minister Imran Khan is up to date with "minute-by-minute details", the foreign minister said, "I will hold a meeting with the prime minister and brief him regarding the consultative meeting to be held at the Foreign Office."