The echoes of India's Operation Sindoor have now reached the very heart of Pakistan's Parliament. In a highly emotional and dramatic turn of events, Retired Major and present Member of Parliament, Tahir Iqbal, who was also a member of the Pakistan Army, wept while making an emotional appeal in Urdu. With tears in his eyes, he called upon Allah to protect and keep Pakistan safe.
This raw emotional outburst came only a day after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made an emotional appeal to the global community, asking for assistance to help protect his nation. The recent developments with regards to India's strong retaliation against the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, have shaken even the highest-ranked members of Pakistan's political leadership. Operation Sindoor, which was the follow-up to the attack, destroyed nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing close to 100 terrorists.
In Parliament, Iqbal spoke frankly of Pakistan's vulnerability and prayed for divine intervention. His voice trembling and eyes welling up with tears, he appealed,
Vijjogiraat naaya. We are saying, therefore — let us pray unitedly to our Lord. O Lord of Kaaba, keep this country, which you bequeathed us, safe from harm."
He went on to say, "This nation came into being after prayer. Allah in dreams had appeared before the leaders and indicated the birth of Pakistan. Only He can protect it now.
As his feelings swept over him, he continued, "Allah, forgive us. We submit before you, asking for your mercy, for we are sinners."
This public display of fear and hopelessness in Pakistan's Parliament reflects the deep psychological significance of India's military retaliation. In response to the Pahalgam attack, India conducted pinpoint attacks deep into terror bases, opening a new chapter of rapid and forceful military action.
Pakistan retaliated by firing across the Line of Control (LoC), which led to Indian casualties. Pakistan also tried drone and missile attacks on Indian cities during Wednesday night, which were intercepted and destroyed by India's advanced air defense system.
With tensions still on the rise, one thing is certain — India has transitioned from a policy of restraint to one of firm defense. For Pakistan, this transformation has been so strong that it has compelled even its legislators to turn not to military tactics, but to prayer.
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