Lieutenant General (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua has said that India’s internal political turmoil has increased the risk of re-aggression in the region, but Pakistan’s modern defense capabilities are sufficient to respond effectively to this threat. He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on “Pakistan’s Recent Diplomatic Achievements, Future Opportunities and Changing Defense Strategy” held on Wednesday.
Mr. Janjua said that Pakistan’s new missile technology now not only accelerates the defense response but also eliminates the aggressor’s temptation. In his words, “Pakistan, as the only Islamic nuclear state, will always be a thorn in the enemy’s side” — in this regard, he clarified that defense strength and diplomatic strategy are interrelated.
He added that recent defense achievements and diplomatic progress have enhanced Pakistan’s international status while India is feeling somewhat isolated on the global stage. Janjua stressed that better strategic capabilities and a strong foreign policy together help maintain balance in the region.
Retired Air Marshal Sajid Habib, who participated in the seminar, strongly defended the current strength of the Pakistan Air Force from a defensive perspective and said that the Air Force has demonstrated its capabilities in the past. Giving an example, he said that “if India tries to attack again, we are capable of shooting down not just seven but seventy aircraft” and appreciated Operation Swift Retort as an effective demonstration of air power.
On the same occasion, Rear Admiral (retd) A.A. Rizvi highlighted the strategic importance of Gwadar port. He said that without the full activation of Gwadar, Pakistan will not be able to get the desired strategic depth. The naval forces are currently capable of confronting any immediate threat, but the active role of Gwadar is essential for long-term defense stability.
According to experts, these statements combine two clear aspects of Pakistan’s defense policy — the ability to react immediately and long-term strategic depth. On the one hand, modern weapons and missile systems complicate the competition, while on the other hand, ports and defense infrastructure are essential for a sustainable defense balance in the region.
The seminar participants agreed that along with defense strength, diplomatic engagements and international relations must be balanced to enable peaceful solutions and political stability in the region.
