Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has emphasized that while political divisions persist within Pakistan, the nation remains firmly united against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aggressive rhetoric and actions, The News reported on Wednesday.
Addressing lawyers at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, as conveyed via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Khan said, “While we reject this illegitimate regime, we stand united as a Pakistani nation in strongly condemning Modi’s war-mongering and dangerous ambitions, which pose a serious threat to regional peace.”
“Loss of human life in Pahlgam incident is deeply disturbing and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
When the False Flag Palwama Operation incident happened, we offered to extend all-out cooperation to India but India failed to produce any…
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 29, 2025
His statement comes amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of more than two dozen tourists.
In the aftermath of the incident, India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Prime Minister Modi has vowed to retaliate, blaming Pakistan for the attack—a claim Islamabad has categorically denied, calling it a “false flag operation.” Pakistan has instead proposed a credible, transparent, and independent international investigation by a neutral commission of experts.
Imran Khan’s tweet is all over Indian media. pic.twitter.com/Aw88U5WR2K
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) April 30, 2025
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has also warned of intelligence reports indicating India may launch military action against Pakistan within 24 to 36 hours, using the Pahalgam incident as justification.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that while Pakistan will not initiate conflict, it will respond decisively to any aggression. A senior security source echoed this stance, stating on condition of anonymity that the armed forces are on high alert and ready to respond with force “a notch above” any Indian misadventure.
This state of readiness has reportedly instilled confidence among government officials and politicians across party lines, reinforcing the military’s capability to counter any potential escalation from India.
Reflecting on his own experience during the 2019 Operation Swift Retort, which was Pakistan’s response to Indian airstrikes following the Pulwama incident, Khan expressed condolences to the victims of the recent attack in Pahalgam. He accused the Modi government of repeating past patterns by blaming Pakistan without evidence.
“When the false flag Pulwama incident occurred, we offered full cooperation to India, but they failed to present any concrete proof. I had predicted in 2019 that the same would happen again—now history is repeating itself after Pahalgam,” Khan said.
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He reiterated his longstanding support for the Kashmiri people and their UN-mandated right to self-determination. Khan also condemned the Modi-led government’s RSS-inspired ideology, warning that it endangers not only the region but broader global peace. He added that India’s actions in Kashmir, particularly the abrogation of Article 370, have only intensified the Kashmiri struggle for freedom.