Shehbaz Sharif Responds to Indian Strikes: “The Enemy Will Not Go Unpunished”

The Response from Islamabad

In the wake of India’s May 7 missile strikes on five sites inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a fiery response — vowing decisive retaliation and declaring Pakistan’s military and people ready to “confront and defeat any threat.”

“The treacherous enemy has launched a cowardly attack on five locations within Pakistan. This heinous act of aggression will not go unpunished,” said Sharif in an emergency national address.

He framed the strikes as unprovoked Indian aggression, designed to destabilize the region on the eve of diplomatic engagements and religious observances.

Not Just Rhetoric — A “Resolute Response Underway”

Sharif made it clear: this isn’t just talk.

“Pakistan reserves the absolute right to respond decisively… A resolute response is already underway.”

Military sources in Islamabad hinted at coordinated deployments across key sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), while the Air Force has reportedly elevated its readiness status to “active alert.” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also launched diplomatic outreach to China, Turkey, and Gulf allies.

The Narrative: Unity and Defiance

Sharif leaned into nationalist rhetoric, calling on Pakistanis to rally behind their armed forces:

“The entire nation stands united… Our morale and resolve remain unshaken.”

In a bid to pre-empt internal dissent and external narrative control, the Prime Minister emphasized that the enemy “will never be allowed to achieve its malicious aims.”

Translation: Pakistan is not looking to de-escalate—yet.

The Mullet Take

This isn’t just a cross-border tit-for-tat. It’s the return of high-stakes power signalling between two nuclear neighbours.

The language used — “cowardly,” “heinous,” “resolute” — signals that Pakistan is positioning itself for both battlefield readiness and geopolitical leverage.

And with the region watching, any misstep by either side could redraw lines of engagement not seen since Balakot in 2019.