India should desist from further escalation as Pakistan fully prepared to retaliate any aggression: PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday asked India to desist from further escalation of tension and not even think of a war as Pakistan was fully prepared to retaliate any aggression.
“I want to give a message to India and Prime Minister Modi not to push the situation to the brink ….. I know our armed forces are fully prepared … the kind of weapons, we (Pakistan and India) have, no one should even think of a war,” he said while addressing a joint sitting of the Parliament here.The Joint Session of Parliament was summoned to discuss the situation arisen due to Indian aggression and the violation of Pakistan’s airspace on February 26 and shooting down of two Indian fighter jets by the Pakistan Air Force on February 27.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan desired peace and stability in the region as it was essential for the government’s efforts to pull the people out of poverty and attract investment.
“Tension is not in the interest of both the countries. I tried to talk to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and will be talking to the Turkish President this evening,” he added.
The Prime Minister, however, maintained that Pakistan’s efforts for de-escalation should not be considered as it weakness. “It should not be taken as a wrong signal.”
Tracing history of the Indian Sub-continent, the Prime Minister referred to two Muslim rulers Bahadur Shah Zafar and Tipu Sultan, and said Tipu Sultan was a hero of the Pakistani nation. “We are a dignified nation and will fight for our independence and sovereignty.”
He expressed the hope that the international community would also try to de-escalate and play its role.
The Prime Minister announced that as a “peace gesture”, Pakistan would be releasing the captured Indian pilot on Friday.