Will respond in a befitting manner if forced into a war by India: Pak minister

Islamabad: Pakistan would respond in a befitting manner if forced into a war by India, said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif adding that that the country’s arms were ‘not meant for decoration.’

“If need be, we will use them against India,” he said.

Asif, speaking at an event on Monday, severely criticised recent series of hostile statements from Indian politicians.

“By issuing provocative statements, Indian politicians want to distract Pakistan’s attention from the war on terror. India had been promoting terrorism in Pakistan,” said Asif.

The Senate last week passed a unanimous resolution strongly condemning the recent "disturbing pattern of provocative and hostile" statements by Indian leaders including threatening attacks against Pakistani territory.

The resolution said the upper house of the parliament wishes to emphasize that Pakistan will never allow its territory to be violated by India under any pretext.