My Opinion

Pakistan’s hawkish Army Chief Syed Asim Munir Shah has threatened to take “half the world down” if confronted with an existential threat from India. Speaking at a black-tie dinner in Tampa, Florida, US, hosted by Pakistan’s honorary consul Adnan Asad, the army chief said, “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.”
Munir also threatened to blow up with missiles any dam built by India on the Indus river. He said, “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, 10 missiles se faarigh kar denge (we will destroy it with 10 missiles).. The Indus River is not the Indians’ family property. Humein missilon ki kami nahi hai, al-Hamdulillah (we don’t have a missile shortage, Praise be to Allah).”
The Pakistani army chief also threatened to attack Reliance group’s Jamnagar oil refinery. He referred to a social media post with a Quranic verse and picture of Reliance group chairman Mukesh Ambani to say that he authorised it during the conflict with India “to show them what we will do the next time”. The Quranic verse relates to how an army of elephants was destroyed in a battle by flying birds carrying stones.
In Delhi, the External Affairs ministry reacted to Asim Munir’s remarks saying India will not give in to nuclear blackmail. “Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade”, the MEA spokesperson said. He also said, “it is regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country….. The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks, which also reinforce the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-gloves with terrorist groups.”
Asim Munir was in the US to attend the retirement ceremony of outgoing CENTCOM (US Central Command) chief Gen Michael Kurilla, and the change of command ceremony where Admiral Brad Cooper took over. He also met with Chairman, US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. Asim Munir is now facing a lot of flak for his “
nuclear sabre-rattling” comments. Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin said, “Asim Munir is Osama bin Laden in a suit… The Field Marshal’s rhetoric is reminiscent of what we’ve heard from the Islamic State.”
When Asim Munir starts “nuclear sabre-rattling” against India, the world should ponder whether Pakistan’s nuclear assets are in safe hands. In a country where there is hardly any distinction between the civilian government and the army, where the army generals openly attend funerals of hardened terrorists, are Pakistan’s nuclear bombs in safe custody? Is it not a threat to world peace?
What is the motive behind Asim Munir’s nuclear threat, when he compares India and Pakistan with a gleaming Mercedes colliding with a dumper carrying stones? Even the people of Pakistan are questioning why the “failed Field Marshal” is speaking in an irresponsible manner. And why is the US silent?
Shahbaz Gill, former adviser to jailed ex-PM Imran Khan, has described Asim Munir’s remarks as irresponsible. He said, the world should sit up and take notice and ensure that Pakistan’s atomic weapons are in safe hands. Experts in Pakistan say that the Army Chief’s tenure is ending in November this year and he is desperately seeking a five-year extension, but former PM Nawaz Sharif has put a spoke in the wheels. Nawaz Sharif wants to become the Prime Minister again and he wants the Army to support him. If the Pakistani army does so, Munir may get an extension.
I think it is not Asim Munir’s fault that he is making such irresponsible remarks. It is the fault of those who hosted the “failed Field Marshal” to lunch with the US President at the White House.
It is not Asim Munir’s fault when he threatens to blow up half the world. The fault lies with those who invited the terror mastermind to the US and allowed him to sit with top US generals.
The fault is not of a failed general like Munir. It is the fault of Pakistan’s civilian government which seems to be tired, which unnecessarily bestowed the rank of Field Marshal on its “failed general”.
It is not Asim Munir’s fault if he has lost control over his brains. The fault lies with the system that made him the boss of a factory of terrorists. The culprit is the country that ensured an easy IMF loan to Pakistan and opened up funds for fuelling terror.
India knows how to deal with Asim Munir. Two days ago, Indian Air Force Chief described how our forces destroyed six Pakistani aircrafts, crippled its air defence system and damaged their Air Force stations.
India is not afraid of nuclear blackmail by Pakistan, because our Army Chief and Air Force Chief have already said that all corners of Pakistan are within reach of Indian missiles.
The problem lies with those countries who gave weapons to Pakistan, provided Pakistan’s army with real-time intelligence during war and made Pakistan the testing ground for their missiles, fighter jets and air defence systems.
It is because of these countries that Asim Munir summoned courage to blabber what he did in Tampa, Florida. India’s policy is clear. India’s armed forces are ready. If Munir and his army do any fresh mischief, nobody can save Pakistan from being destroyed.

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Reports have come about Pakistani army reactivating terror camps that were destroyed by India during Operation Sindoor in both Pakistan and Pak Occupied Kashmir. These terror camps have started working under the vigil of Pakistani army.
Meanwhile, India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted a successful test of a precision guided missile fired from a drone. Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir is in Beijing. He has met the Chinese vice-president and foreign minister.
India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has warned Pakistan to desist from activating terror bases of Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. Terror launch pads and training centres have been set up in Looni, Phutwal, Jamila Post, Umranwali, Chaprar, Chhota Chak and Janglora junges.
Pakistani army has installed thermal imaging sysems, foliage penetrating radars and satellite surveillance equipment in at least 13 ISI terror launch pads that were closed after Operation Sindoor.
These launch pads have been activated in Kel, Dudhniyal, Jura, Leepa Valley, Pachhiban Chaman, Naiyali, Jankote, Chakati and Nickale.
Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar addressed his cadre in Bahawalpur and appealed for funds, while Lashkar commanders are collecting funds by organizing rallies.
There are possibilities of Pakistan resorting to misadvernture again. Gen Asim Munir still feels that his army has won despite getting a severe thrashing from Indian armed forces during the four-day air attacks. Pakistan was begging for funds from IMF, Asian Development Bank and other countries. It had become increasingly irrelevant on world stage, but sections of western media, during and after the conflict, projected Pakistan on par with a regional power like India.
Donald Trump completed the rest by claiming at least 25 times that it was he who brought about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump even spoke about five planes being downed during the brief conflict. He hosted Gen Munir to lunch in the White House.
The same Trump who detested Pakistan for cheating the US by taking billions of dollars in the past in the name of combatting terrorists, has now started weighing India and Pakistan on the same balance.
On the other hand, Pakistan got jet fighters, missiles and air defence systems from China and drones and operators from Turkey. China provided real time intelligence to Pakistan during the conflict. Pakistan was actually fighting a proxy war for China against India during the four-day conflict. China was testing its weapons and planes during the conflict.
India destroyed Pakistani air bases, terror hideouts and air defence systems during the conflict, but western media created a perception as if Pakistan inflicted heavy losses on India. The ill-equipped Pakistan army, which was being criticized in its own country, started weaving false tales of bravery.
Presently, an impression is being created in Pakistan as if Donald Trump is trying to browbeat India. China has become the protector and guardian of Pakistan. The impoverished nation is also getting loans from multilateral organizations. In such circumstances, one should not be surprised if Gen Asim Munir starts losing his mental balance.
One thing is certain. If Pakistan carries out a misadventure again, it will have to pay a heavy cost. Whatever lessons that India has learnt from Operation Sindoor is enough to break Pakistan into pieces.

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema has alleged that her brother has been kept isolated in a cell in Rawalpindi Adiala jail and there is a conspiracy afoot to eliminate him. Aleema, her sister Uzma, and their lawyers were not allowed to meet Imran Khan in jail.
Aleema alleged that courts in Pakistan are deliberately adjourning hearing on bail petitions in nearly 200 cases slapped against her brother. On court’s order, a ceiling fan and cooler were installed in his cell, but power supply was deliberately cut off, she alleged.
Aleema said, undeclared martial law is in force in Pakistan and Army Chief Asim Munir is trying to politically finish off her brother. Imran’s other sister Uzma Khanum appealed to the media to save her brother’s life by exposing the atrocities being committed by the army.
Meanwhile, Imran’s jailed wife Bushra Bibi is also facing difficulties. Her sister Maryam Riyaz Wattoo has alleged that Bushra is neither being given medicines nor proper food in jail. She has been lodged in a cell without a ceiling fan. She alleged that Bushra lost consciousness a few days ago but she was not taken to a doctor. She also alleged that courts are not frequently adjourning hearings on her bail petitions.
Both Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are being mentally and physically tortured in prison. It is also a fact that Army Chief Asim Munir wants to finish off Imran Khan politically. There is no point in discussing the merits and demerits of the cases lodged against both of them, because there is no credible legal system working in Pakistan. All the affairs of state are under control of the army.
It is also a fact that it was the army which put Imran Khan in power and then dislodged him. It is the army which has lodged cases against Imran Khan and the courts are being indirectly controlled by the army. In Pakistan, the army can force judges to give judgement to its liking.
What is happening today with Imran Khan had happened with former PM Nawaz Sharif in the past. There is only one difference.
Imran Khan’s popularity ratings have risen after he has been sent to prison. If Pakistan perchance holds free and fair elections, Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf can score a landslide victory.
In Hindi, there is a popular proverb: ‘Naa Nau Man Tel Hoga, Naa Radha Nachegi’ (A snowball’s chance in hell). So long as the army wants, it will keep Imran Khan in jail. Had there been no fear of the people revolting, Imran Khan would have been killed by now. Everything is now at the mercy of Asim Munir.

Why local politicians beat up bureaucrats?

Three different incidents about rage of politicians against babudom came to light on Tuesday from Odisha, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
In Bhubaneswar, a BJP corporator with some goons dragged the Additional Municipal commissioner Ratnakar Sahu, while he was holding a public grievance session. The bureaucrat was kicked and punched by the corporator and his goons. When the video became viral, the city municipal corporation staff went on strike, police swung into action and arrested the BJP corporator and his four associates. Later, the state BJP suspended all the five persons. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi had to persuade Odisha Administrative Service not to go on strike.
In Shimla, minister Anirudh Singh thrashed officials of National Highway Authority of India in Dhalli area where NHAI is building a four-lane highway. A local building owner had alleged that his four-storeyed building collapsed due to land excavation by NHAI. The minister, with his associates went to the spot and abused the NHAI officials. The project manager Achal Jindal was beaten up by the minister and his associates. NHAI officials say that the highway is being built nearly 30 metres away from the building. Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has asked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to take action against his minister and ensure protection to NHAI staff.
In Kanpur’s Green Park stadium, BJP MLC Arun Pathak was locked in a wordy duel with a female IPS officer Additional CP Anjali Vishwakarma. This occurred when police stopped Pathak’s security staff from entering the stadium carrying firearms. A friendly match was going on between Army XI and Politicians XI to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor. The BJP leader created a scene but the IPS officer was unperturbed.
Incidents of beating of bureaucrats by politicians indulging in ‘dadagiri’ must be condemned. Corporators, MLAs and ministers try to flex their political muscles by abusing and beating bureaucrats. This has been taking place since decades.
Earlier, such news of such incidents used to be hushed up, but with the advent of social media and cell phones, the ‘dadagiri’ of politician is captured on camera and the video reaches news channels easily. This results in political parties taking action against such errant leaders.
Whatever may be the reason, those in public life must not raise their hand on a bureaucrat. This is nothing but a sin. Such politicians must face the law and they must be punished.

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Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had been waxing eloquently after his luncheon meeting with US President Donald Trump, is now facing the ire of his own people on the streets of Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad. Pakistanis are asking who gave the bright idea to Asim Munir to recommend a Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. The Pakistani army-political establishment is silent.
Thousands of protesters, both Shia and Sunni, swarmed the streets of Karachi after Trump’s US Air Force B-2 bombers bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities. The protesters were hurling abuses at Asim Munir, PM Shehbaz Sharif, Trump and Israeli President Netanyahu.
Protesters demanded why Pakistan sided with the US before it bombed the nuclear sites of a friendly Islamic neighbour state. Pakistan, they said, has now become a laughing stock in the eyes of the entire Islamic world.
The ruling establishment, the army and the elite of Pakistan had been singing paeans for Asim Munir, when Trump invited the Field Marshal to lunch with his top associates. They were chortling on how American has lent its full support to Pakistan, in its conflict with India. Questions were being raised about Prime Minister Modi’s personal friendship with Trump. The impression was being given to the public that Trump embarrassed India multiple times, and finally hugged Pakistan.
After the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, it is now clear how Trump made a monkey out of Asim Munir. The Pakistani establishment had been praising Trump as its “Abbajan” (guardian father) and was openly recommending Trump’s name for Nobel Peace Prize for bringing about ceasefire between India and Pakistan. All these hopes were dashed to the ground, when B-2 bombers ‘obliterated’ Iran’s three nuclear sites. Now, the Pakistani reactions range from “Tauba Tauba” (Forgive, Oh God!) to “We have been cheated”.
Leaders who were describing Trump as a peacemaker are now calling his action ‘barbaric’. Leaders who described Trump as “an angel of peace” are now describing him as “Maut Ka Saudagar”(Merchant of Death) within a span of 24 hours.
If Asim Munir was having the impression that Trump left G-7 summit midway and came to White House to host him for lunch, then, I think, there can be no fool bigger than him If Munir could not assess that Trump wanted Pakistan to shut its mouth when he bombs Iran, then one should naturally question Munir’s intellect.
In my ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ show telecast last weekend, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi bluntly said, “Trump will now make Munir dance to his tunes and Munir will do so”.
The problem is, because of Munir’s gaffe, the entire state of Pakistan had to dance to Trump’s tunes. Those who claimed to be champion of diplomacy have lost their sheen. American Air Force planes used Pakistan’s air space to bomb Iran. They used Pakistan’s 1,000 km-long border with Iran, leaving Asim Munir helpless. Everybody now agrees that Prime Minister Modi did the right thing. He spoke to Trump on phone for half an hour and declined to go to the White House.

Trump’s Big Gamble : He will have to tread carefully

On a day of dramatic developments, US President Donald Trump announced a three-stage “complete” ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but the ceasefire did not appear to hold because hours later Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel after the deadline hour.
Earlier, Tehran witnessed one of its worst nights on Monday when several loud explosions were heard, but after 4 am local time, the situation remained calm and no more attacks took place.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, if Israel stops attacks, Iran will also cease firing missiles into Israel.
On Monday evening, US President Donald Trump announced to the world that both Iran and Israel have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to take effect in six hours. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social : “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!”.
Trump wrote: “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.’
The ceasefire brokered by US and Qatar, came into effect hours after Iran fired missiles at the US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, in retaliation over the bombing of three nuclear plant sites by American B-2 bombers. Iran claimed the missile attacks matched the number of bombs dropped by US air force on Sunday.
Soon after Iran attacked American bases in the Gulf, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait closed their airspace throwing international air flights passing through the Middle East in a spin.
Donald Trump has played a big gamble, first by bombing Iran’s three nuclear sites using American B-2 bombers, and then announcing a ceasefire between the two warring nations, that may or may not hold.
If Trump’s gamble of “peace through strength” succeeds, it will be one of the biggest achievements of US foreign policy in recent decades. The nuclear threat from Iran will cease and Trump may be hailed as a hero.
But if Trump’s gamble backfires, the whole of Middle East will be thrown into a cauldron of fire and unrest. Trump may be forced to send the US army into war, which he had been trying to avoid till now.
One should remember, Trump had won the US presidential elections on the promise that America’s army would not enter into any fresh conflict anywhere in the world.
Trump’s problem is not that many countries of the world have criticized him for sending US bombers to “obliterate” Iran’s nuclear sites. Trump’s main problem is that if Iran retaliates with full force, American will be mired in another Middle East war, that is not going to end soon.
It could become difficult for Trump to reply to questions that will be raised from his MAGA (Make America Great Again) brigade of supporters. Iran will target American forces in the Gulf. Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi insurgents are not dead. They may carry out more strikes.
In that scenario, nobody can predict what China will do. In the coming days and weeks, President Donald Trump will have to tread carefully, step by step.

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In a swift response, Indian armed forces on early Saturday carried out attacks on eight key Pakistani air bases in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Sialkot and Pasroor radar site. Indian Air Force fighter jets used air-launched precision weapons to inflict maximum damage but ensure minimum collateral damage to civilian population. Army Col. Sofiya Qureshi said, the Pakistani targets included “technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas across the border.”
Earlier, Pakistan Air Force attacked 26 locations including Indian Air Force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj, but these air bases sustained limited damage to equipment and personnel. Describing it as “a reckless move”, the spokesperson said, Pakistan targeted medicare centres and school premises located at IAF air bases in Srinagar, Awantipora and Udhampur. A high-speed missile launch was also attempted towards Punjab at 1:40 am, said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The army spokesperson said, Pakistan intensified shelling along Line of Control and international border, targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor. In Rajouri, Additional Deputy Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa was killed and two of his assistants were critically injured when Pakistani shells fell on his official residence. Several civilians were injured in Pakistani attacks on Ferozepur and Jalandhar.
In Delhi, on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and all three service chiefs. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Ajit Doval and Pakistani army chief Gen. Asim Munir on ways to de-escalate tensions immediately. India has made it clear that the onus of de-escalation falls first on Pakistan which initiated drone and missile attacks on Indian installations after India’s May 7 air strikes on terror hideouts inside PoK and Pakistan.
In Pakistan, the civilian leadership does not matter much. The onus is now fully on the Pakistani army chief Gen Munir. It is the Pakistani army chief who has to decide when to call off his drone and missile attacks and order a halt to artillery shelling in Jammu & Kashmir. The common people in Pakistan have seen through the fake information being spread by Pakistani army about inflicting losses on Indian army and air force, but on the ground, the situation is quite different. On Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri showed pictures of most of the Indian air force bases intact despite attacks by Pakistan’s kamikaze drones. The cat is now out of the bag. Even China on Saturday appealed to Pakistan to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation. The ball lies squarely in Pakistan’s court and their army chief has to take the call. Pakistan stands completely isolated and it has not received any support from either the US or China or the Middle East countries.

Pakistan’s propaganda war : fake claims busted

In a swift response, the government of India has debunked all fake claims being made by Pakistani army about the ongoing missile and drone attacks. Pakistan on Saturday claimed that a female Indian Air Force pilot Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh has been captured in Kotli in PoK. This was immediately described as fake news by Press Information Bureau of the Govt of India. PIB Fact check immediately responded saying that no Indian female pilot has been captured and the news was fake. Pakistan army and government have been recycling old photos and videos as latest ones about so-called losses to Indian said. Pakistani social media handles are presently hper-active making false claims about Indian losses like Indian Rafale and Sukhoi jets being downed and Indian pilots being captured. Pakistani media has been circulating these falsehoods as gospel truth. Top Pakistani officials and even ministers are busy promoting unverified and doctored content on social media.
On Friday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed out how Pakistan has been trying to give a communal hue to the ongoing attacks by alleging that India trying to target Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Misri described this as “deranged fantasy”. He revealed that Pakistani troops shelled a gurdwara in Poonch and some local Sikhs lost their lives in the attacks. Similarly, Pakistani troops fired artillery on a Christian missionary school injuring several students.
Pakistan is fastly losing the battle on the ground with its air defence systems smashed by IAF. This is the reason why it is resorting to a barrage of misinformation to misguide people in India. We should all be careful when we find such claims on social media. Our first step should be to ignore all such posts and we should not circulate or forward these posts in any manner.

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