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ISLAMABAD: In a major boost for Pakistani hockey, the national team has qualified for the Hockey World Cup, ending an eight-year wait to return to the prestigious global tournament. Pakistan put up an impressive performance to edge Japan 4-3 in the semi-final of the FIH Hockey World Cup qualifier at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in Egypt on Friday. The President emphasized need to promote sports such as hockey and football, stating that these are the games of working class and ordinary people, and they should be further developed across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the national side, praising the players for their commitment and resilience. He advised the team to continue working hard and maintain the same level of dedication and determination as they prepare for the tournament. Pakistan&rsquo;s qualification marks a significant moment for the country&rsquo;s hockey revival, rekindling hopes among fans that the national team can restore its historic success.&nbsp;

Hockey

PM Sharif and President Zardari praise Pakistan’s national hockey team after their qualification, calling it a major step toward reviving the country’s historic success in hockey and urging continued dedication.

Pakistan seal Hockey World Cup spot with 4-3 win over Japan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday warned Afghanistan&rsquo;s interim government to dismantle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/armed-forces-ready-to-defend-pakistans-sovereignty-field-marshal-munir" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">terrorist groups</a>&nbsp;operating from their territory, saying Pakistan will not tolerate cross-border attacks and &ldquo;will respond decisively&rdquo; to any aggression. Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, Zardari said Pakistan had exercised restraint but acted firmly when its sovereignty was challenged. Cross-border attacks The president said the past 10 months&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/no-dialogue-pakistan-says-terrorism-from-afghanistan-must-end" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">tested the country</a>&nbsp;in &ldquo;profound and complex ways.&rdquo; He said that when confronted with attacks on its borders, Pakistan responded with &ldquo;strategic restraint and firm resolve.&rdquo; On the western border, he said, security forces acted quickly after an increase in attacks on Feb. 26 by the Taliban regime. &ldquo;Our security forces acted decisively to signal zero tolerance for any incursions into our sovereign territory,&rdquo; he said. He stated that the political leadership stood united and the people of Pakistan &ldquo;resolute.&rdquo; Warning to Kabul Zardari said Pakistan had tried &ldquo;every possible form of diplomacy&rdquo; to prevent escalation after terrorist incursions from Afghan territory. But he warned that patience has limits. &ldquo;The Taliban regime saw with shock and awe what Pakistan could do if pushed past the red line,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We let both India and Afghanistan see a fraction of our capability.&rdquo; He cited Article 51 of the UN Charter, which he said gives Pakistan the right to defend its sovereignty. He said Pakistan would not allow any entity to use neighboring territory to destabilize its peace. President Zardari said that despite repeated diplomatic engagements, the Afghan de facto regime continues to provide safe havens to groups including Al-Qaeda, <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-urges-unsc-to-designate-bla-as-terrorist-group" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Balochistan Liberation Army</a> (BLA) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Commitments made in Doha to prevent such activity, he said, had been ignored. &ldquo;They must choose to dismantle the terrorist groups that survive on conflict and its war economy,&rdquo; he said, urging Afghanistan&rsquo;s rulers not to allow their country to be used as a battlefield for other powers. Broader security message The president said the past year tested Pakistan in &ldquo;profound and complex ways.&rdquo; He said the country responded with &ldquo;strategic restraint and firm resolve&rdquo; when its sovereignty was challenged. He praised the armed forces for successful operations on both eastern and western borders and said the political leadership and the public stood united. &ldquo;The soil of Pakistan is sacred,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We will not allow any entity, domestic or foreign, to destabilize our peace.&rdquo; Regional and global stance Zardari condemned the war on Iran while negotiations were underway, saying the attacks undermined peace. He said Pakistan supports Iran&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The president described ties with China as having reached new heights and thanked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/president-xi-says-china-to-hit-2025-growth-target-of-around-5" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;for solidarity and cooperation. Economy and federation President Zardari linked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-defies-panic-as-foreign-investment-continues-to-rise" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">economic stability</a>&nbsp;to national security. He said the government had steered the country away from economic collapse in 2022 and restored stability to key indicators. He called for inclusive growth, structural reforms and transparency in taxation. He also focused on energy reform, climate resilience, agricultural stability and equitable resource distribution among provinces. &ldquo;A strong federation does not require centralization,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It requires coordination and constitutional governance.&rdquo;

Security

Foreign Affairs

Says Pakistan has exercised restraint but acted firmly against cross-border attacks; criticizes Afghan Taliban for harboring militants, and warns that continued safe havens for groups like TTP, BLA, and al-Qaida would provoke a decisive response.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari"

Pakistan seal Hockey World Cup spot with 4-3 win over Japan

President Zardari warns Afghanistan over militant sanctuaries, says Pakistan ready to act