Pakistan Army Wasn’t Prepared for War With India: Imran Khan

International

oi-Deepika S

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan has revealed that Qamar Javed Bajwa, repeatedly told him that Pakistan Army is not equipped nor prepared for a war with India.

Imran Khan made this comment during an interview with the US-based think tank Atlantic Council on June 18.

Speaking about the strained ties with New Delhi, Khan said India was supposed to give concession and a roadmap to the Kashmir issue, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to visit Pakistan.

Pakistan Bans Holi Celebration In Universities

Khan confirmed that there was indeed an opening for peace with India-despite New Delhi’s rescinding of disputed Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019-and the Pakistani army chief favored it.

Despite New Delhi’s rescinding of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019 – and the Pakistani army chief favouring it – normalising trade between the two nuclear-armed countries was reportedly one of the steps that was to be taken before PM Modi could visit Pakistan, he revealed.

However, despite successfully de-escalating a military standoff in 2019, Khan could not explain why he faltered in trade normalisation with New Delhi after India changed its relationship with Kashmir by removing its special status. Khan responded to India’s Kashmir move by closing the border for trade with India.

“I don’t remember the trade talks,” the former prime minister said. “All I know is that there was supposed to be a quid pro quo. India was supposed to give some concession, give some sort of a roadmap to Kashmir and I was going to then host PM Modi in Pakistan. But it never materialised.”

Pakistan, China Sign .8 Billion Nuclear Power Plant Deal

He added that Bajwa’s plan, which included a ceasefire with Indian forces on the Line of Control in Kashmir, was a lost opportunity for establishing long-term peace with Pakistan’s arch-rival.

“I tried everything but I came across this brick wall,” Khan said. “And I realised it’s something to do with the RSS-BJP mentality where they’ve cashed in on hostility with Pakistan. That’s all.”

Story first published: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 16:10 [IST]