Pakistan President Accuses India of Preparing for War, Calls for Negotiations

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari accused India of preparing for another war and urged New Delhi to abandon a "battlefield" approach and return to the negotiating table.

Addressing a joint session of parliament on March 2, Zardari said Islamabad remains ready for dialogue, emphasizing that meaningful negotiations are the only path to regional security and stability. He condemned India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as "water terrorism" and alleged that New Delhi is using water flows for political pressure.

Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's diplomatic and moral support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that lasting peace in South Asia is impossible without resolving the Kashmir dispute.

He also addressed security threats from Afghanistan, describing Pakistan's soil as "sacred" and warning that no internal or external groups would be allowed to use neighboring territory to destabilize the country. Zardari accused the Taliban of failing to uphold commitments under the Doha Agreement and called for the dismantling of militant groups.

Pakistan has faced ongoing security challenges along its western border with Afghanistan, frequently accusing the Taliban-led authorities there of insufficient action against militants operating near the frontier. Tensions between Pakistan and India remain high, particularly over Kashmir and cross-border security issues, with diplomatic relations fluctuating amid militant attacks and political disputes. Zardari further condemned regional and global crises, including Middle East conflicts and attacks on Gulf countries.