Islamabad, May 7, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday told the National Assembly that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) could have downed at least 10 Indian aircraft in response to recent Indian missile strikes, but chose to exercise restraint in the interest of regional stability.
Condemning India’s “cowardly” attack on Pakistani soil, the prime minister praised the armed forces for their swift and decisive retaliation, which led to the downing of five Indian jets, including Rafale, MiG-29, and Su-30 aircraft.
Addressing the lower house of parliament, the premier said an unfortunate incident in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, had been wrongly blamed on Pakistan without any evidence.
“They tried to convince the entire world that Pakistan was behind it—without a shred of proof,” he said.
Citing previous incidents, PM Shehbaz also pointed to the Jaffarabad Express hijacking that took place two months ago, alleging that its backers had links to Indian elements. “We possess irrefutable evidence of India’s involvement,” he stated, adding that the incident had been glorified by Indian media in a manner “that history will not forget.”
Recounting Pakistan’s military response, PM Shehbaz noted that, “Our air force locked their communication systems and forced Indian jets to land in Srinagar. We could have taken down 10 aircraft, but we chose restraint over escalation.”
He congratulated Air Chief Zaheer Babar and the PAF for their preparedness and precision.
Political unity amid escalating tensions
In a rare moment of bipartisanship, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended a formal invitation to the opposition for national dialogue, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of external threats. “This is a time for solidarity, not blame games,” he said. “I am willing to personally visit the opposition leader’s chamber to initiate talks.”
The offer was welcomed by PTI’s parliamentary leader, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who expressed support for national reconciliation. “We welcome the prime minister’s call for dialogue. Pakistan is our red line—there can be no compromise,” he declared.
Condemning India’s aggression, Gohar reaffirmed national resolve, “India cannot divide Pakistan with its Hindutva-driven agenda. The downing of five Indian jets is proof of our military readiness.” He reminded the assembly that former Prime Minister Imran Khan had long warned that Pakistan would retaliate decisively to any provocation from India.
Calling for sincerity in the reconciliation process, Gohar said, “One hand alone cannot clap. Releasing Imran Khan and other political prisoners will be the first real gesture toward genuine dialogue.”
He urged the National Assembly Speaker to actively facilitate the proposed talks, saying that words must now translate into action.
The bipartisan exchange has sparked cautious optimism within political circles, with observers noting that both the government and opposition now have an opportunity to shift focus from internal strife toward national unity and resilience.
