Recent comments made by Pakistani MPs from Imran Khan’s party, particularly Sher Afzal Khan Mawat, have stirred controversy. They revealed plans to flee the country in the event of an outbreak of war with India. This statement comes amid rising tensions between the two nations, highlighting a growing distrust in the Pakistani military among both leaders and the public, as pointed out by the BJP.
Mawat, who also serves as a spokesman for Khan’s party, was addressing journalists when he was questioned on whether he would take up arms if conflict ensued. His response was blunt: “If war breaks out, I will go to England.” His remarks, reflecting a lack of commitment to national defense, have raised eyebrows.
The backdrop to these tensions includes a recent attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, leading India to take significant diplomatic actions, including halting the Indus Waters Treaty. The situation has been aggravated by Pakistan’s ongoing support for militants, as it continues to issue travel bans to India.
In a sharp retort, the BJP stated that there’s widespread skepticism among the Pakistani populace regarding their military’s capabilities, especially as tensions rise. BJP spokesman Pradeep Bhandari remarked that the Pakistani minister has already arranged flights for their families out of the country, indicating a lack of faith in their own defense readiness.
“I think there’s a general agreement that Pakistan struggles to match India’s military strength. People believe that under Prime Minister Modi, India will respond decisively if provoked,” he added.
Historically, this isn’t the first instance of military confrontations escalating into broader conflicts. Notably, India conducted airstrikes against a terrorist camp in Pakistan following the Pulwama attack, which killed 40 Indian soldiers, and previously, surgical strikes were carried out in response to the massacre of Indian soldiers in Uri.
