New Delhi: AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday lashed out at Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir over his recent nuclear threat against India, likening the comments to those of a “sadakchaap aadmi” (street-level thug).
Owaisi expressed concern that such provocative statements were made on US soil a country that is India’s strategic partner. He called on the Narendra Modi-led government to issue a strong political response.
“Pakistan Army Chief’s words and threats are condemnable. What’s unfortunate is that this is happening from the US. He is speaking like a ‘sadakchaap aadmi’. We believe the Modi government should give a political response like the MEA statement,” Owaisi said.
The remarks came after Munir, during his visit to Florida, reportedly said Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to target India and “half the world” in the event of an existential threat.
Owaisi also urged the Centre to increase India’s defence budget, citing the persistent threat from Pakistan’s military and its deep state. “We will have to increase our defence budget so that we can stay prepared,” he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday condemned Munir’s statements, calling them “nuclear sabre-rattling” and emblematic of Pakistan’s irresponsible military posturing.
“The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks, which reinforce doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups,” the MEA spokesperson said.
During his US visit, Munir also vowed to defend Pakistan’s water rights over the Indus River, warning that any Indian dam construction would be destroyed. He reiterated Pakistan’s claim over Kashmir, calling it the country’s “jugular vein” and denying that it was an internal matter for India.
