Pakistan ready for befitting response if India imposes war: Sheikh Rashid

ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (APP):Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Wednesday said that Pakistan did not want war at any cost but it was ready to give a befitting response if war was imposed.

Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV), the minister said that all the political parties and nation were standing beside the Pakistan armed forces to protect territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Sheikh Rashid said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was creating tension as he had lost the elections in five states of India and now was trying to gain votes of Hindu community through war rhetoric.
The minister said that Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) had warned the Indian government to give an appropriate reply and today was a light response, adding now India should also be ready for a harsher response.
Pakistan was a changed country and if the war broke out, it would be a dangerous situation so India should behave sensibly, the minister warned.
Sheikh Rashid said that Narendra Modi was pushing the whole world towards disaster and the next 72 hours would be crucial.
The minister said that Indian media was controlled and influenced but Pakistani media was the most independent of the world, adding that yesterday Indian media was in celebration but it proved to be artificial and now they should be ashamed.
Sheikh Rashid said if India started the war, from Gurdaspur to Assam, destruction would be imminent.
To a question, he said meetings were underway in Pakistan Railways and if the need arises, emergency would be declared. He said fuel emergency had already been imposed in Railways in view
of the latest situation, adding Railways was a backbone in defense of the country.