Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that Pakistan was responsible for escalating the recent military conflict, following Indian strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor.Speaking at Savitribai Phule Pune University, General Chauhan said that Pakistan had planned to push India “to its knees in 48 hours” with a series of attacks launched on the night of May 10, three days after India carried out pre-emptive military operations targeting terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).“On the 10th of May, at about 1 am, their (Pakistan) aim was to get India to its knees in 48 hours. Multiple attacks were launched and in some manner, they have escalated this conflict, which we had actually hit only terror targets,” he said.<h2>India responded swiftly, halted Pakistani operations in 8 hours</h2>General Chauhan added that the escalation did not go according to Pakistan’s plan. “Operations, which Pakistan thought would continue for 48 hours, folded up in about eight hours,” he said.In response to Pakistan’s offensive, India struck back by targeting several key airbases across the border, including Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui. These precision strikes marked a strong military response to what India viewed as a full-scale escalation by Islamabad.<h2>Pakistan reached out for talks after heavy military response</h2>According to CDS Chauhan, it was after this decisive Indian counteraction that Pakistan sought to de-escalate the situation. “Pakistan’s decision to talk to India on May 10 stemmed from realisation that it will suffer more if its operation continues. When request for talks and de-escalation came from Pakistan, we accepted it,” he said.Later that day, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted their Indian counterpart via the hotline, signalling readiness to begin dialogue.<h2>What happened on the night of May 10?</h2>Tensions peaked on the night between May 9 and 10, when Pakistan launched attacks across 26 locations—stretching from Srinagar in Jammu &amp; Kashmir to Naliya in Gujarat. These strikes included high-speed missile attacks at 1:40 AM aimed at Indian airbases in Punjab.Indian Air Force (IAF) stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj were among those targeted. According to statements from the Defence and External Affairs Ministries, Pakistan also attacked schools and medical centres at IAF bases in Srinagar, Udhampur, and Awantipora.The majority of these attacks were intercepted or neutralised by Indian forces.In response, India carried out precise airstrikes on military facilities inside Pakistan, hitting strategic locations such as Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian.By 5 PM on May 10, both countries declared a ceasefire, officially halting hostilities.

Speaking at Savitribai Phule Pune University, General Chauhan said that Pakistan had planned to push India “to its knees in 48 hours” with a series of attacks launched on the night of May 10.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that Pakistan was responsible for escalating the recent military conflict, following Indian strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor. Speaking at Savitribai Phule Pune University, General Chauhan said that Pakistan had planned to push India “to its knees in 48 hours” with a series of attacks launched on the night of May 10, three days after India carried out pre-emptive military operations targeting terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). “On the 10th of May, at about 1 am, their (Pakistan) aim was to get India to its knees in 48 hours. Multiple attacks were launched and in some manner, they have escalated this conflict, which we had actually hit only terror targets,” he said. India responded swiftly, halted Pakistani operations in 8 hours General Chauhan added that the escalation did not go according to Pakistan’s plan. “Operations, which Pakistan thought would continue for 48 hours, folded up in about eight hours,” he said. In response to Pakistan’s offensive, India struck back by targeting several key airbases across the border, including Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui. These precision strikes marked a strong military response to what India viewed as a full-scale escalation by Islamabad. Pakistan reached out for talks after heavy military response According to CDS Chauhan, it was after this decisive Indian counteraction that Pakistan sought to de-escalate the situation. “Pakistan’s decision to talk to India on May 10 stemmed from realisation that it will suffer more if its operation continues. When request for talks and de-escalation came from Pakistan, we accepted it,” he said. Later that day, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted their Indian counterpart via the hotline, signalling readiness to begin dialogue. What happened on the night of May 10? Tensions peaked on the night between May 9 and 10, when Pakistan launched attacks across 26 locations—stretching from Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir to Naliya in Gujarat. These strikes included high-speed missile attacks at 1:40 AM aimed at Indian airbases in Punjab. Indian Air Force (IAF) stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj were among those targeted. According to statements from the Defence and External Affairs Ministries, Pakistan also attacked schools and medical centres at IAF bases in Srinagar, Udhampur, and Awantipora. The majority of these attacks were intercepted or neutralised by Indian forces. In response, India carried out precise airstrikes on military facilities inside Pakistan, hitting strategic locations such as Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. By 5 PM on May 10, both countries declared a ceasefire, officially halting hostilities.

Speaking at Savitribai Phule Pune University, General Chauhan said that Pakistan had planned to push India “to its knees in 48 hours” with a series of attacks launched on the night of May 10.

‘Request for talks came from Pakistan’: Islamabad aimed to bring 'India to its knees in 48 hours' on May 10, but New Delhi turned the tables in 8

Pakistan's Karachi experienced 9 to 11 low-intensity quakes in over 48 hours. Due to the tremors, the District Malir Jail evacuated the inmates as a temporary measure. While moving them to safety, at least 216 took advantage of the situation and escaped the prison complex on Tuesday (June 3).&nbsp;At the time the tremors were felt, around 6,000 prisoners were present in the facility. Speaking to reporters, Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah confirmed the incident. He also mentioned it was a chaotic situation, the barracks were opened so avoid injury, as there was a fear of the wall collapsing.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/karchi-experienced-three-low-intensity-earthquake-in-a-day-1748933948606">Karachi experienced three low intensity earthquakes in a day</a>&nbsp;During the evacuation, some inmates escaped by breaking the locks and began climbing over the walls. This took place near Mari Gate, where over 1,000 inmates had gathered. As the staff tried to control the situation, one inmate snatched a rifle from the officer and opened fire. This injured Frontier Corps personnel and one police officer. Jail staff were also attacked with stones and sticks by inmates. Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/punjab-man-arrested-on-charges-of-spying-for-pakistan-20-isi-contacts-found-in-his-phone-1748934872709">Punjab man arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, 20 ISI contacts found in his phone</a>&nbsp;As the situation got out of control, police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps personnel were deployed. In an interview with a local media, Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that in an interview that 78 of those who escaped have been recaptured. A search operation is underway to look for the others.As the officials searched the prison complex, they found 50 hiding in the jail quarter, and 19 others were recaptured as they were escaping in rickshaws and other vehicles.

Pakistan's Karachi experienced 9 to 11 low-intensity quakes in over 48 hours. Due to the tremors, the District Malir Jail evacuated the inmates as a temporary measure.

Pakistan's Karachi experienced 9 to 11 low-intensity quakes in over 48 hours. Due to the tremors, the District Malir Jail evacuated the inmates as a temporary measure. While moving them to safety, at least 216 took advantage of the situation and escaped the prison complex on Tuesday (June 3). At the time the tremors were felt, around 6,000 prisoners were present in the facility. Speaking to reporters, Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah confirmed the incident. He also mentioned it was a chaotic situation, the barracks were opened so avoid injury, as there was a fear of the wall collapsing. Also read: Karachi experienced three low intensity earthquakes in a day During the evacuation, some inmates escaped by breaking the locks and began climbing over the walls. This took place near Mari Gate, where over 1,000 inmates had gathered. As the staff tried to control the situation, one inmate snatched a rifle from the officer and opened fire. This injured Frontier Corps personnel and one police officer. Jail staff were also attacked with stones and sticks by inmates. Also read: Punjab man arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, 20 ISI contacts found in his phone As the situation got out of control, police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps personnel were deployed. In an interview with a local media, Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed that in an interview that 78 of those who escaped have been recaptured. A search operation is underway to look for the others. As the officials searched the prison complex, they found 50 hiding in the jail quarter, and 19 others were recaptured as they were escaping in rickshaws and other vehicles.

Pakistan's Karachi experienced 9 to 11 low-intensity quakes in over 48 hours. Due to the tremors, the District Malir Jail evacuated the inmates as a temporary measure.

Prison break in Pakistan: 216 inmates escape Karachi prison amid earthquake evacuation, only 78 recaptured

Karchi city felt tremors of three low-intensity earthquakes in Pakistan on Monday, June 2, at around 1 PM. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the first two were in Karachi's Gadap and the third one was in Quaidabad. No damage or casualties were reported.The three earthquakes were recorded at an intensity of 3.2 magnitude at Gadap at 1.05 AM and then 3.6 magnitude in the same area, followed by a jolt of 3.2 magnitude in Quaidabad. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Quaidabad also experienced tremors on Sunday evening.Pakistan is situated at the intersection of two tectonic plates- the Eurasian and the Indian, spreading across five seismic zones. However, sometimes it is also affected by the movement of the Arabic Plate.According to local reports, there were tremors felt in Khokhrapar, Malir, Landhi, Future Mor, Gul Ahmed, and Hospital Chowrangi.&nbsp;According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, such low-intensity earthquakes prevent the potential of high-intensity ones. In May, Pakistan experienced seven low-intensity earthquakes from 4.2 to 4.9 in magnitude.

Karchi city felt tremors of three low-intensity earthquakes on June 2, in Gadap and Quaidabad of Karachi, with no reported damage or casualties 

Karchi city felt tremors of three low-intensity earthquakes in Pakistan on Monday, June 2, at around 1 PM. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the first two were in Karachi's Gadap and the third one was in Quaidabad. No damage or casualties were reported. The three earthquakes were recorded at an intensity of 3.2 magnitude at Gadap at 1.05 AM and then 3.6 magnitude in the same area, followed by a jolt of 3.2 magnitude in Quaidabad. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Quaidabad also experienced tremors on Sunday evening. Pakistan is situated at the intersection of two tectonic plates- the Eurasian and the Indian, spreading across five seismic zones. However, sometimes it is also affected by the movement of the Arabic Plate. According to local reports, there were tremors felt in Khokhrapar, Malir, Landhi, Future Mor, Gul Ahmed, and Hospital Chowrangi. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, such low-intensity earthquakes prevent the potential of high-intensity ones. In May, Pakistan experienced seven low-intensity earthquakes from 4.2 to 4.9 in magnitude.

Karchi city felt tremors of three low-intensity earthquakes on June 2, in Gadap and Quaidabad of Karachi, with no reported damage or casualties&nbsp;

Karachi experienced three low intensity earthquakes in a day

Afghanistan has welcomed the decision to upgrade diplomatic relations with Pakistan, where the Taliban government's foreign minister is due to travel in the coming days, his office said on Saturday.The move signals easing tensions between the neighbouring countries, as relations between the Taliban authorities and Pakistan – already rocky – have cooled in recent months, fuelled by security concerns and a campaign by Islamabad to expel tens of thousands of Afghans.Pakistan's top diplomat on Friday said the charge d'affaires stationed in Kabul would be elevated to the rank of ambassador, with Kabul later announcing its representative in Islamabad would also be upgraded."This elevation in diplomatic representation between Afghanistan &amp; Pakistan paves the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation in multiple domains," the Aghan foreign ministry said on X.Kabul's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is due to visit Pakistan "in the coming days", ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP.Muttaqi met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in May in Beijing as part of a trilateral meeting with their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.Wang afterwards announced Kabul and Islamabad's intention to exchange ambassadors and expressed Beijing's willingness "to continue to assist with improving Afghanistan-Pakistan ties".Dar hailed the "positive trajectory" of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations on Friday, saying the upgrading of their representatives would "promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries".Only a handful of countries -- including China -- have agreed to host Taliban government ambassadors since their return to power in 2021, with no country yet formally recognising the administration.Russia last month said it would also accredit a Taliban government ambassador, days after removing the group's "terrorist" designation.&nbsp;

The move signals easing tensions between the neighbouring countries, as relations between the Taliban authorities and Pakistan – already rocky – have cooled in recent months, fuelled by security concerns and a campaign by Islamabad to expel tens of thousands of Afghans.

Afghanistan has welcomed the decision to upgrade diplomatic relations with Pakistan, where the Taliban government's foreign minister is due to travel in the coming days, his office said on Saturday. The move signals easing tensions between the neighbouring countries, as relations between the Taliban authorities and Pakistan – already rocky – have cooled in recent months, fuelled by security concerns and a campaign by Islamabad to expel tens of thousands of Afghans. Pakistan's top diplomat on Friday said the charge d'affaires stationed in Kabul would be elevated to the rank of ambassador, with Kabul later announcing its representative in Islamabad would also be upgraded. "This elevation in diplomatic representation between Afghanistan & Pakistan paves the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation in multiple domains," the Aghan foreign ministry said on X. Kabul's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is due to visit Pakistan "in the coming days", ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP. Muttaqi met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in May in Beijing as part of a trilateral meeting with their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Wang afterwards announced Kabul and Islamabad's intention to exchange ambassadors and expressed Beijing's willingness "to continue to assist with improving Afghanistan-Pakistan ties". Dar hailed the "positive trajectory" of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations on Friday, saying the upgrading of their representatives would "promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries". Only a handful of countries -- including China -- have agreed to host Taliban government ambassadors since their return to power in 2021, with no country yet formally recognising the administration. Russia last month said it would also accredit a Taliban government ambassador, days after removing the group's "terrorist" designation.

The move signals easing tensions between the neighbouring countries, as relations between the Taliban authorities and Pakistan – already rocky – have cooled in recent months, fuelled by security concerns and a campaign by Islamabad to expel tens of thousands of Afghans.

Afghanistan welcomes upgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has reportedly taken control of the strategic city of Surab in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province. &nbsp;The BLA announced that it has captured the entire city of Surab, including the Levies and police stations, major banks, and other key government offices. The armed group’s commanders claimed that they have successfully pushed back Pakistani army and police forces after intense clashes. They also claimed responsibility for killing a Station House Officer (SHO) during the operation and confiscating weapons from police personnel. &nbsp;The takeover of Surab is a serious escalation between Baloch separatist activities and Pakistani administration.&nbsp;(This is a developing story)

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has reportedly taken control of the strategic city of Surab

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has reportedly taken control of the strategic city of Surab in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province. The BLA announced that it has captured the entire city of Surab, including the Levies and police stations, major banks, and other key government offices. The armed group’s commanders claimed that they have successfully pushed back Pakistani army and police forces after intense clashes. They also claimed responsibility for killing a Station House Officer (SHO) during the operation and confiscating weapons from police personnel. The takeover of Surab is a serious escalation between Baloch separatist activities and Pakistani administration. (This is a developing story)

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group, has reportedly taken control of the strategic city of Surab

Balochistan Liberation Army claims control of Pakistan's Surab city, vehicles of security forces torched

Mahajabeen Baloch, a student of the University of Balochistan and polio survivor, was forcibly picked up from her hostel on the night of May 29, 2025, at around 3 AM. This was done in a joint operation by the Police and the Counter Terrorism Department and Law Enforcement Agencies. According to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, she has not been presented before the court nor allowed access to legal counsel, family, or any medical assistance.&nbsp;This incident comes just 5 days after her brother, Younus Baloch, was forcibly detained similarly without any legal remedy from their home in Besima, Washuk.&nbsp;There had been no official response from the provincial or federal government regarding the disappearance.&nbsp;“This is not just a human rights issue—it’s a reflection of how dissent and identity in Balochistan are increasingly criminalised,” said a spokesperson at the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. This enforced disappearance without any legal remedy has been a phenomenon in Balochistan. However, targeting the disabled student is an impudence of the functioning of the state apparatus.&nbsp;“She remains missing, has not been presented before a court, and has been denied access to legal representation, family contact, and medical care—a direct violation of Pakistan’s Constitution, its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).” wrote Baloch Yakjehti Committee in a post on X (formerly twitter).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐣𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐡’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) expresses grave concern over the enforced… <a href="https://t.co/OCmXaiLdn4">pic.twitter.com/OCmXaiLdn4</a>&mdash; Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1928360714630222214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There had been numerous cases of enforced disappearance in Balochistan. Amnesty International calls Balochistan a zone of impunity. According to Human Rights Watch, many disappeared people are tortured and traumatised while their loved ones protest holding their picture, only to discover their remains in a mass grave later.&nbsp;There had also been reports of military aggression, extrajudicial killings. One such incident was of Bakhtiar Ahmed Baloch, who was brutally shot by the Frontier Corps (FC) after he reportedly urged security forces not to conduct search operations in residential areas that were distressing women and children.According to the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED), between 2011 and 2024, there were cases of 8,463 missing persons and 10,078 cases of enforced disappearances&nbsp;The disappearance of Maharang Baloch, a human rights activist who championed resistance in the most conflict-ridden region of Pakistan, had raised eyebrows in the international community back in 2024.&nbsp;"Women who challenge the status quo face not only political persecution but also threats of gender-based violence," read a report by Amnesty International.Pakistan is a signatory to the human rights treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The denial of a legal remedial process is not only a violation of human rights but also repression of the marginalised segment of society, which is at the intersection of disability and oppressed gender.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mahjabeen Baloch, a polio survivor and student of Library Science at the University of Balochistan, was reportedly taken during a late-night raid on May 29 by police and counter-terrorism officials.

Mahajabeen Baloch, a student of the University of Balochistan and polio survivor, was forcibly picked up from her hostel on the night of May 29, 2025, at around 3 AM. This was done in a joint operation by the Police and the Counter Terrorism Department and Law Enforcement Agencies. According to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, she has not been presented before the court nor allowed access to legal counsel, family, or any medical assistance. This incident comes just 5 days after her brother, Younus Baloch, was forcibly detained similarly without any legal remedy from their home in Besima, Washuk. There had been no official response from the provincial or federal government regarding the disappearance. “This is not just a human rights issue—it’s a reflection of how dissent and identity in Balochistan are increasingly criminalised,” said a spokesperson at the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. This enforced disappearance without any legal remedy has been a phenomenon in Balochistan. However, targeting the disabled student is an impudence of the functioning of the state apparatus. “She remains missing, has not been presented before a court, and has been denied access to legal representation, family contact, and medical care—a direct violation of Pakistan’s Constitution, its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).” wrote Baloch Yakjehti Committee in a post on X (formerly twitter).

Mahjabeen Baloch, a polio survivor and student of Library Science at the University of Balochistan, was reportedly taken during a late-night raid on May 29 by police and counter-terrorism officials.

Enforced disappearance of disabled student in Quetta, Balochistan

An explosion occurred in Naushera village in the Amritsar rural district in Punjab on Tuesday (May 27). SSP Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh said that a person was seriously injured in the attack. Police later confirmed that the injured person was a member of a terrorist organisation and further investigation in the matter is underway. The village is close to Pakistan border and comes under the Kambo police station limits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) (Border Range) Satinder Singh, while speaking to news agency ANI, said, “The person who was injured has died. He is a member of a terrorist organisation and he had come to retrieve the explosive consignment...We have received a lot of clues...Further investigation is underway...Babbar Khalsa and ISI is active in Punjab and most likely, he is a member of Babbar Khalsa...”&nbsp;SSP Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh had earlier said that the area of explosion is an abandoned area. He added that police has record that anti-national elements use the area to retrieve their consignments. "We suspect that he is one of the accused who came to retrieve the consignment and due to mishandling of an explosive, he was injured...Our FSL teams are on the way…" he added.&nbsp;(This is a developing story)

An explosion occurred in Naushera village in the Amritsar rural district in Punjab and a suspected terrorist was killed

An explosion occurred in Naushera village in the Amritsar rural district in Punjab on Tuesday (May 27). SSP Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh said that a person was seriously injured in the attack. Police later confirmed that the injured person was a member of a terrorist organisation and further investigation in the matter is underway. The village is close to Pakistan border and comes under the Kambo police station limits. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) (Border Range) Satinder Singh, while speaking to news agency ANI, said, “The person who was injured has died. He is a member of a terrorist organisation and he had come to retrieve the explosive consignment...We have received a lot of clues...Further investigation is underway...Babbar Khalsa and ISI is active in Punjab and most likely, he is a member of Babbar Khalsa...” SSP Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh had earlier said that the area of explosion is an abandoned area. He added that police has record that anti-national elements use the area to retrieve their consignments. "We suspect that he is one of the accused who came to retrieve the consignment and due to mishandling of an explosive, he was injured...Our FSL teams are on the way…" he added. (This is a developing story)

An explosion occurred in Naushera village in the Amritsar rural district in Punjab and a suspected terrorist was killed

Suspected Babbar Khalsa terrorist killed in blast in Amritsar, probe underway

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (May 26) expressed his desire to talk to India to resolve issues between the two countries. This comes as India reached out to various countries around the globe in a bid to expose Pakistan-based terrorism. The Pakistani PM said that he wants peace and is ready to talk on Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty and terrorism. &nbsp;Addressing a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif in Tehran said, "We want to resolve all disputes, including the Kashmir issue and the water issue, through negotiations and are also ready to talk to our neighbour on trade and counter-terrorism,” he said. &nbsp;The Pakistani PM also said that Islamabad wants peace, but did not speak on his country's support to terrorists. "If they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely," he said.&nbsp;Pakistan's PM Sharif also met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. In a measured response to the India-Pakistan conflict, Khamenei in a post on X said, “We're pleased at the cessation of conflicts between Pakistan and India, and we hope the disputes between the two countries will be resolved.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;re pleased at the cessation of conflicts between Pakistan and India, and we hope the disputes between the two countries will be resolved.&mdash; Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/1927050648308129973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India says ‘terror and talks can't go together'</h2>However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first statement after Operation Sindoor, made it clear that dialogue with Pakistan will be limited to the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism. &nbsp;"Terror and talks cannot happen at the same time. Terror and trade cannot take place. Blood and water cannot flow together. I want to tell the international community that if there will be talks between India and Pakistan, it will only be on terrorism and POK," PM Modi had said.<h2>Pak PM's visit to “friendly nations”</h2>Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a four-nation trip this week to seek support from allied nations against India’s Operation Sindoor. He visited Turkey and met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In what is being seen as an unusual move, Field Marshal Asim Munir accompanied Pakistani PM as he held bilateral talks with the Turkish counterpart. The Pakistani delegation that also includes Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar will also visit Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed his desire to talk to India to resolve issues between the two countries.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (May 26) expressed his desire to talk to India to resolve issues between the two countries. This comes as India reached out to various countries around the globe in a bid to expose Pakistan-based terrorism. The Pakistani PM said that he wants peace and is ready to talk on Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty and terrorism. Addressing a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif in Tehran said, "We want to resolve all disputes, including the Kashmir issue and the water issue, through negotiations and are also ready to talk to our neighbour on trade and counter-terrorism,” he said. The Pakistani PM also said that Islamabad wants peace, but did not speak on his country's support to terrorists. "If they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely," he said. Pakistan's PM Sharif also met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. In a measured response to the India-Pakistan conflict, Khamenei in a post on X said, “We're pleased at the cessation of conflicts between Pakistan and India, and we hope the disputes between the two countries will be resolved.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (May 26) expressed his desire to talk to India to resolve issues between the two countries.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif 'ready to talk' with India, brings up Kashmir, Indus Treaty during meeting in Iran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif as well as new Field Marshal Asim Munir amid tensions with India. In what is being seen as an unusual move, Munir accompanied Pakistani PM as he held bilateral talks with the Turkish counterpart. Pakistan's foreign minister was also a part of the Pakistani delegation that is visiting four "friendly countries." The delegation will also visit Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Iran. &nbsp;Taking to X, Turkish President Erdogan wrote, "I was very pleased to host the Prime Minister of Pakistan, my dear friend Shahbaz Sharif, and his esteemed delegation in Istanbul." Highlighting that both discussed many critical issues including security, Erdogan added that their relation is "unbreakable." He also sought to further &nbsp;strengthen "the deep-rooted historical, human and political relations between Türkiye and Pakistan in every field." He emphasized that Turkey and Pakistan are looking forward to make their "unity, togetherness and brotherhood permanent." &nbsp;Pakistani PM Sharif said, “Had the honour of meeting my dear brother President Reccep Tayipp Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan India standoff.”&nbsp;Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir was elevated as Field Marshal on May 20 by Pakistan's government after heightened tensions with India. Pakistan said that Munir will now be in a “strategic leadership and decisive role.” Experts suggested that this marks a major power shift in Pakistan and Munir being part of the delegation with the Prime Minister only fuels such speculations.&nbsp;<h2>Turkey supports Pakistan, Indians calls for #BoycottTurkey</h2>Turkey has supported Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and India's Operation Sindoor on Pakistani terror targets. Calls for boycotting Turkey began in India when India's Wing Commander Vyomika Singh revealed that drones sent by Pakistan across India’s post Operation Sindoor were Turkish-made Songar drones.&nbsp;In a big action against Turkey amid its support for Pakistan, India’s aviation security regulator Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Turkey based Çelebi Airport Services. The Çelebi Airport Services approached the court and the court reserved its verdict.&nbsp;Educational institutions like JNU, IIT, Jamia Millia Islamia have cancelled their MoUs with several Turkish universities citing “national security.” Travel platforms like EaseMyTrip have advised travellers to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan only if absolutely necessary. Moreover, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which represents workers, technicians, artists, and professionals of the Indian film industry, announced a complete ban on Turkey for shooting films and cultural collaborations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In what is being seen as an unusual move, Asim Munir accompanied Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif during bilateral talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif as well as new Field Marshal Asim Munir amid tensions with India. In what is being seen as an unusual move, Munir accompanied Pakistani PM as he held bilateral talks with the Turkish counterpart. Pakistan's foreign minister was also a part of the Pakistani delegation that is visiting four "friendly countries." The delegation will also visit Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Iran. Taking to X, Turkish President Erdogan wrote, "I was very pleased to host the Prime Minister of Pakistan, my dear friend Shahbaz Sharif, and his esteemed delegation in Istanbul." Highlighting that both discussed many critical issues including security, Erdogan added that their relation is "unbreakable." He also sought to further strengthen "the deep-rooted historical, human and political relations between Türkiye and Pakistan in every field." He emphasized that Turkey and Pakistan are looking forward to make their "unity, togetherness and brotherhood permanent." Pakistani PM Sharif said, “Had the honour of meeting my dear brother President Reccep Tayipp Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan India standoff.” Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir was elevated as Field Marshal on May 20 by Pakistan's government after heightened tensions with India. Pakistan said that Munir will now be in a “strategic leadership and decisive role.” Experts suggested that this marks a major power shift in Pakistan and Munir being part of the delegation with the Prime Minister only fuels such speculations. Turkey supports Pakistan, Indians calls for #BoycottTurkey Turkey has supported Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and India's Operation Sindoor on Pakistani terror targets. Calls for boycotting Turkey began in India when India's Wing Commander Vyomika Singh revealed that drones sent by Pakistan across India’s post Operation Sindoor were Turkish-made Songar drones. In a big action against Turkey amid its support for Pakistan, India’s aviation security regulator Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked the security clearance of Turkey based Çelebi Airport Services. The Çelebi Airport Services approached the court and the court reserved its verdict. Educational institutions like JNU, IIT, Jamia Millia Islamia have cancelled their MoUs with several Turkish universities citing “national security.” Travel platforms like EaseMyTrip have advised travellers to visit Turkey and Azerbaijan only if absolutely necessary. Moreover, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which represents workers, technicians, artists, and professionals of the Indian film industry, announced a complete ban on Turkey for shooting films and cultural collaborations.

In what is being seen as an unusual move, Asim Munir accompanied Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif during bilateral talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Asim Munir accompanies Pakistan PM in bilateral meet with Turkey's Erdogan, unusual move fuels speculations

Asim Munir, Pakistan's new Army Field Marshal, is once again all over the internet, and for all the wrong reasons. Munir has been trolled by netizens for gifting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a purported photo of Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. The top Pakistani army official gave a framed painting of the operation, which was against India's Operation Sindoor. However, in reality, the painting was a 2019 image of Chinese military strikes.Munir presented the painting to the Pakistani PM during a dinner. The event was held to honour the Pakistani armed forces' "steadfast commitment," and the "indomitable spirit."&nbsp;The dinner was attended by the top political and military leadership of Pakistan: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani.&nbsp;What did the painting show?&nbsp;People on the internet claimed that the painting gifted by Munir was an image of a Chinese military drill. The image was debunked by a single Google search.&nbsp;"Pak PM just gifted Asim Munir a photo from a 2019 Chinese military drill—faking war glory against India. Instead, India provided corroborated evidence of strikes with precision and power during #OperationSindoor. Denial, deception, and delusion remain the state policy of Pakistan," a user wrote on the social media platform X."They can't even produce original visuals of their military operation," another X user wrote.&nbsp;"In another embarrassing moment, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif gifts a morphed photo of a Chinese PHL-03 rocket launcher downloaded from Google Images to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir. (smiling emoji).#Pakistan #asimmunir #operationsindoor #India #viral #funny #globalnews #trending #news," another social media user wrote on Instagram.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pakistan&#39;s latest masterpiece: Shehbaz Sharif presents a photoshopped painting from a 2019 Chinese drill to Failed Marshal Asim Munir 🎨💥 Guess when you can’t win on the battlefield, you win in Canva <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LumberOneFauj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LumberOneFauj</a> <a href="https://t.co/pteqdcsGqV">pic.twitter.com/pteqdcsGqV</a>&mdash; Yash Rawat (@Yashfacts28) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yashfacts28/status/1926623709822922771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What is 'Operation Bunyan-un-Maroos'?&nbsp;Just days after India set in motion cross-border anti-terror 'Operation Sindoor' (May 7) to avenge the deaths of 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday (May 10) launched an attack code-named 'Operation Bunyan-un-Maroos'.&nbsp;Under this operation, Pakistan early in the morning started indiscriminate strikes on civilian areas across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB). Islamabad's military initiated heavy shelling of residential areas in India's Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

Another embarrassing moment for Pakistan! Asim Munir gifts fake image of Op Bunyan to PM Shehbaz Sharif, gets trolled. 

Asim Munir, Pakistan's new Army Field Marshal, is once again all over the internet, and for all the wrong reasons. Munir has been trolled by netizens for gifting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a purported photo of Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. The top Pakistani army official gave a framed painting of the operation, which was against India's Operation Sindoor. However, in reality, the painting was a 2019 image of Chinese military strikes. Munir presented the painting to the Pakistani PM during a dinner. The event was held to honour the Pakistani armed forces' "steadfast commitment," and the "indomitable spirit." The dinner was attended by the top political and military leadership of Pakistan: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani. What did the painting show? People on the internet claimed that the painting gifted by Munir was an image of a Chinese military drill. The image was debunked by a single Google search. "Pak PM just gifted Asim Munir a photo from a 2019 Chinese military drill—faking war glory against India. Instead, India provided corroborated evidence of strikes with precision and power during #OperationSindoor. Denial, deception, and delusion remain the state policy of Pakistan," a user wrote on the social media platform X. "They can't even produce original visuals of their military operation," another X user wrote. "In another embarrassing moment, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif gifts a morphed photo of a Chinese PHL-03 rocket launcher downloaded from Google Images to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir. (smiling emoji).#Pakistan #asimmunir #operationsindoor #India #viral #funny #globalnews #trending #news," another social media user wrote on Instagram.

Asim Munir, Pakistan's new Army Field Marshal, is once again all over the internet, and for all the wrong reasons. Munir has been trolled by netizens for gifting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a purported photo of Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos.&nbsp;

Another embarrassing moment for Pakistan! Asim Munir gifts fake image of 'Op Bunyan' to PM Shehbaz Sharif, gets trolled

Pakistan is intensifying efforts to modernise its nuclear arsenal, driven by its longstanding perception of India as an 'existential threat', according to a US report.&nbsp;In the wake of renewed military tensions in South Asia, the assessment was part of the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report, released days after India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.&nbsp;The report suggests that Pakistan is focusing on the &nbsp;enhancement of its nuclear capabilities, including it's development of tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons, in an effort to offset India’s conventional military advantage.&nbsp;“Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons,” the report said.&nbsp;The assessment also notes that Pakistan is receiving military and economic support from China to support this modernisation.&nbsp;The report added, "Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan’s WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates."&nbsp;While Islamabad still continues to rely heavily on Beijing as its main defence partner, there are growing tensions in this relationship, the reports cite a rise in militant attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan.&nbsp;The intelligence document also outlines the broader security challenges facing Pakistan. These include ongoing border conflicts, the rise in attack of organisations like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch nationalist militants, as well as several counter-terrorism operations. Despite these efforts, more than 2,500 people were killed in militant violence within Pakistan in 2024.&nbsp;In contrast, the report notes that India views Islamabad only as an 'ancillary security proble' to be managed, and not as a central strategic challenge indicating a divergent threat perception between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

In the wake of renewed military tensions in South Asia, the assessment was part of the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report, released days after India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Pakistan is intensifying efforts to modernise its nuclear arsenal, driven by its longstanding perception of India as an 'existential threat', according to a US report. In the wake of renewed military tensions in South Asia, the assessment was part of the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report, released days after India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The report suggests that Pakistan is focusing on the enhancement of its nuclear capabilities, including it's development of tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons, in an effort to offset India’s conventional military advantage. “Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons,” the report said. The assessment also notes that Pakistan is receiving military and economic support from China to support this modernisation. The report added, "Foreign materials and technology supporting Pakistan’s WMD programs are very likely acquired primarily from suppliers in China, and sometimes are transshipped through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates." While Islamabad still continues to rely heavily on Beijing as its main defence partner, there are growing tensions in this relationship, the reports cite a rise in militant attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. The intelligence document also outlines the broader security challenges facing Pakistan. These include ongoing border conflicts, the rise in attack of organisations like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch nationalist militants, as well as several counter-terrorism operations. Despite these efforts, more than 2,500 people were killed in militant violence within Pakistan in 2024. In contrast, the report notes that India views Islamabad only as an 'ancillary security proble' to be managed, and not as a central strategic challenge indicating a divergent threat perception between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

In the wake of renewed military tensions in South Asia, the assessment was part of the US Defence Intelligence Agency’s 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report, released days after India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Haunted by a rival? Pakistan sees India as ‘existential threat’, accelerates nuclear modernisation: Report

The presence of this colour not only in uniforms but also across weaponry reflects not only the tactical preparedness, but also of a shared identity in the army. 

Operation Sindoor: Why the Indian Army chose 'Olive Green' as its combat uniform colour

What set this operation apart was not just its military precision, but the use of indigenously developed weapons systems, many of which, being deployed in active conflict for the first time.

Operation Sindoor: How made-in-India weapons led the charge during strikes against Pakistan

Commissioned in 2022, this warship now stands as an important asset for rapid response and deterrence in the Arabian Sea for critical situations.

Indo-Pak war: Why INS Vikrant is considered India's 'sea fortress'

The system is designed to collate data from multiple sources – radar stations, missile units, and airborne sensors – and fuse them into a single, live air situation picture.

Operation Sindoor: What is 'Akashteer System' that protected India’s mainland from Pakistan's offensive

As the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, in retaliation to the loss of 26 lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, the nation resonated with chants of 'Jai Hind'. The phrase has long symbolised unity, courage, and unparalleled patriotism.
However, it is crucial to understand the origin of this iconic phrase, and why it continues to hold such a deep significance in the Indian armed forces and beyond?
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/operation-sindoor-indias-rafale-vs-pakistans-f-16-which-fighter-jet-is-more-deadly-9044149">Operation Sindoor: How India&rsquo;s Rafale scores over Pakistan&rsquo;s F-16</a>
<h2>The origin</h2>
'Jai Hind', in other words, 'Victory to India', was coined by Zain-ul Abideen Hasan (later Abid Hasan Safrani) in the year 1941 while he was stationed in Germany alongside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. As Netaji laid the foundation of the Indian National Army, also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, he adopted 'Jai Hind' as the official greeting to unify the soldiers of diverse backgrounds.
Before 'Jai Hind', military units were fragmented by regional or religious greetings such as 'Sat Sri Akal', 'Jai Ramji Ki', and 'Salaam Alaikum'. Bose and Hasan saw the need for a more inclusive salutation. 'Jai Hindustan Ki' was coined and later shortened to 'Jai Hind'&mdash;a crisp and secular phrase that rallied all the soldiers under one banner.
z̄Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/india-news/operation-sindoor-top-6-rifles-in-service-with-the-indian-army-9048897">Operation Sindoor: Top 6 rifles in service with the Indian Army</a>
<h2>Institutional legacy of the INA</h2>
The INA which was initially formed by Captain Mohan Singh in 1942 and later revived by Bose in 1943, grew to over 50,000 soldiers. Several brave officers like Major General Shahnawaz Khan, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Colonel Prem Sehgal, famously faced trial by the British at the Red Fort. This stirred nationwide support for the independence movement.
<h2>Post-Independence military adoption</h2>
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/operation-sindoor-indias-top-7-cross-border-operations-and-their-code-names-9048608">Operation Sindoor: India&rsquo;s top 7 cross-border operations and their code names</a>
After 1947, India&rsquo;s military moved away from the old British traditions and hence, 'Jai Hind' was formally adopted as a salutation and greeting within the Indian Armed Forces. This reflected a sovereign and democratic identity of an independent India.
Used by officers and soldiers alike, 'Jai Hind' a symbol of pride in service, today concludes official speeches, and serves as a unifying phrase across ranks and regions.

Before 'Jai Hind', military units were fragmented by regional or religious greetings such as 'Sat Sri Akal', 'Jai Ramji Ki', and 'Salaam Alaikum'.

As the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, in retaliation to the loss of 26 lives in the Pahalgam terror attack, the nation resonated with chants of 'Jai Hind'. The phrase has long symbolised unity, courage, and unparalleled patriotism. However, it is crucial to understand the origin of this iconic phrase, and why it continues to hold such a deep significance in the Indian armed forces and beyond? Also Read: Operation Sindoor: How India’s Rafale scores over Pakistan’s F-16 The origin 'Jai Hind', in other words, 'Victory to India', was coined by Zain-ul Abideen Hasan (later Abid Hasan Safrani) in the year 1941 while he was stationed in Germany alongside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. As Netaji laid the foundation of the Indian National Army, also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, he adopted 'Jai Hind' as the official greeting to unify the soldiers of diverse backgrounds. Before 'Jai Hind', military units were fragmented by regional or religious greetings such as 'Sat Sri Akal', 'Jai Ramji Ki', and 'Salaam Alaikum'. Bose and Hasan saw the need for a more inclusive salutation. 'Jai Hindustan Ki' was coined and later shortened to 'Jai Hind'—a crisp and secular phrase that rallied all the soldiers under one banner. z̄Also Read: Operation Sindoor: Top 6 rifles in service with the Indian Army Institutional legacy of the INA The INA which was initially formed by Captain Mohan Singh in 1942 and later revived by Bose in 1943, grew to over 50,000 soldiers. Several brave officers like Major General Shahnawaz Khan, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Colonel Prem Sehgal, famously faced trial by the British at the Red Fort. This stirred nationwide support for the independence movement. Post-Independence military adoption Also Read: Operation Sindoor: India’s top 7 cross-border operations and their code names After 1947, India’s military moved away from the old British traditions and hence, 'Jai Hind' was formally adopted as a salutation and greeting within the Indian Armed Forces. This reflected a sovereign and democratic identity of an independent India. Used by officers and soldiers alike, 'Jai Hind' a symbol of pride in service, today concludes official speeches, and serves as a unifying phrase across ranks and regions.

Indo-Pak War: Why 'Jai Hind' is more than just a slogan for the Indian Army

As 'Sindoor' is still underway, with tensions rising, here is the list of some of the fiercest operations launched by the Indian army on Pakistan and their code names.


Operation Sindoor: India’s top 7 cross-border operations and their code names

The Su-30MKI is India’s main fighter jet. Built with Russian technology and Indian upgrades, it can carry heavy weapons and fly long distances. It’s the backbone of the Indian Air Force.


Operation Sindoor: 6 deadliest fighter jets India can deploy in a war against Pakistan

Pakistan&rsquo;s military is reportedly grappling with a severe shortage of artillery ammunition, leaving its warfighting capabilities limited to just four days, said news agency ANI, citing sources.&nbsp;
Reports further indicate that the country&rsquo;s reserves could sustain only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict, significantly impairing its ability to counter any large-scale offensive by India.
<h2>Arms exports and manufacturing gaps</h2>
The crisis is partly attributed to Pakistan&rsquo;s recent arms exports to Ukraine. This includes large consignments of 155mm artillery shells. These exports resulted in leaving critical systems, such as the M109 howitzers and BM-21 rocket launchers, without adequate ammunition. The primary supplier of the Pakistani army, The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), has struggled to replenish stockpiles due to outdated infrastructure and a surge in global demand, according to ANI.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indo-pak-standoff-pakistan-drops-bollywood-beats-from-fm-amid-rising-tensions-9025187">Indo-Pak standoff: Pakistan drops Bollywood beats from FM amid rising tensions</a>
<h2>Strategic readiness and economic strain</h2>
It is a known fact that Pakistan&rsquo;s military doctrine heavily relies on rapid mobilisation and firepower to neutralise India&rsquo;s numerical superiority. However, with declining stockpiles, its ability to execute strategies like these is under question. Sources also suggest that the matter was earlier discussed during the Special Corps Commanders Conference on May 2, 2025, where top military leadership reportedly expressed extreme concern.
Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing economic crisis only adds to the already greave challenge and concern. Soaring inflation, burden of foreign debt, and declining forex reserves have forced the military to cut back on essentials such as rations, fuel, and even military exercises. Scheduled war games have been postponed indefinitely, highlighting the broader impact of the economic downturn on defence readiness. Yet, the country continues to provoke with continues firing at the LoC, leaving the LoC in boil.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rafale-m-vs-rafale-c-key-differences-between-indias-naval-and-air-force-jets-9021514">Rafale-M vs Rafale-C: Key differences between India&rsquo;s naval and air force jets</a>
Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had earlier acknowledged these limitations, stating Pakistan lacked both the military and economic capacity for a prolonged war with India. The reports further suggest that Pak has begun constructing ammunition depots near the Indo-Pak border in anticipation of conflict escalation.
Tensions between the two neighbours have remained high since the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam. Pakistan&rsquo;s defences appear increasingly vulnerable.

Reports indicate that the country’s reserves could sustain only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict, significantly impairing its ability to counter any large-scale offensive by India.

Pakistan’s military is reportedly grappling with a severe shortage of artillery ammunition, leaving its warfighting capabilities limited to just four days, said news agency ANI, citing sources. Reports further indicate that the country’s reserves could sustain only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict, significantly impairing its ability to counter any large-scale offensive by India. Arms exports and manufacturing gaps The crisis is partly attributed to Pakistan’s recent arms exports to Ukraine. This includes large consignments of 155mm artillery shells. These exports resulted in leaving critical systems, such as the M109 howitzers and BM-21 rocket launchers, without adequate ammunition. The primary supplier of the Pakistani army, The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), has struggled to replenish stockpiles due to outdated infrastructure and a surge in global demand, according to ANI. Also Read:Indo-Pak standoff: Pakistan drops Bollywood beats from FM amid rising tensions Strategic readiness and economic strain It is a known fact that Pakistan’s military doctrine heavily relies on rapid mobilisation and firepower to neutralise India’s numerical superiority. However, with declining stockpiles, its ability to execute strategies like these is under question. Sources also suggest that the matter was earlier discussed during the Special Corps Commanders Conference on May 2, 2025, where top military leadership reportedly expressed extreme concern. Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis only adds to the already greave challenge and concern. Soaring inflation, burden of foreign debt, and declining forex reserves have forced the military to cut back on essentials such as rations, fuel, and even military exercises. Scheduled war games have been postponed indefinitely, highlighting the broader impact of the economic downturn on defence readiness. Yet, the country continues to provoke with continues firing at the LoC, leaving the LoC in boil. Also Read: Rafale-M vs Rafale-C: Key differences between India’s naval and air force jets Former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had earlier acknowledged these limitations, stating Pakistan lacked both the military and economic capacity for a prolonged war with India. The reports further suggest that Pak has begun constructing ammunition depots near the Indo-Pak border in anticipation of conflict escalation. Tensions between the two neighbours have remained high since the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Pakistan’s defences appear increasingly vulnerable.

Pakistan can’t fight a war for more than 96 hours as it shipped its major artillery to Ukraine: Report

As the world becomes more volatile, the idea of nuclear weapons sitting in the hands of a politically shaky state like Pakistan is no longer just a regional concern&mdash;it&rsquo;s a global one. For years, Washington and its partners have relied on containment as the go-to strategy. However, that approach may no longer be enough.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s time to confront a hard truth: the international community must now seriously explore ways to prevent Pakistan&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal from ever being used by the wrong actors&mdash;even if that means considering actions once deemed off-limits.
<h2 class="p3">The Problematic Pakistan</h2>
Pakistan is no longer just a nuclear-armed state. It is a nuclear-armed state teetering on the edge of political collapse, economic implosion and radicalisation. With its civilian government routinely overpowered by the military and shadowy intelligence agencies, and extremist ideologies increasingly seeping into the state's institutions, the line between national defence and rogue access is dangerously thin. The civilian leadership now exists under the constant shadow of a military that has a history of coups, electoral manipulation and building relationships with radical Islamist groups.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pakistan-threatens-war-against-india-over-indus-waters-but-will-it-march-toward-its-own-collapse-9004506">Pakistan threatens war against India over Indus waters! But will it march towards its own collapse?</a>
Pakistan&rsquo;s deep state&mdash;an opaque network of military generals, intelligence agencies like the ISI, and political puppets&mdash;has a long history of playing both sides of the war on terror. While accepting billions in US aid for counter-terrorism, Pakistan harboured Osama bin Laden for years and continues to provide safe havens to Taliban and Haqqani network leaders.
<h2 class="p1">Duality of Pakistan = Danger</h2>
This duality makes Pakistan uniquely dangerous. It is not merely a state with nuclear weapons&mdash;it is a nuclear state with divided loyalties, weak democratic institutions and rising religious extremism. In such a volatile environment, the greatest fear is not a deliberate nuclear strike, but a loss of control. What if radical elements inside the military gain access? What if a future coup is led by hardline Islamists? What if a rogue scientist decides to sell nuclear material to the highest bidder?
The US has long operated under the assumption that it can "manage" the risk by working with the Pakistani military. This assumption is growing outdated. Pakistan is currently experiencing one of the worst political crises in its history. With former Prime Minister Imran Khan imprisoned and the military-backed government facing intense public resistance, the state is unraveling. Meanwhile, its economy is on life support, relying on IMF bailouts and foreign aid to stay afloat. In this weakened condition, how secure can its nuclear assets truly be?
<h2 class="p1">How to Disarm Pakistan?</h2>
Disarming Pakistan doesn't necessarily mean military invasion or occupation. It could start with multilateral diplomacy, offering economic aid and security guarantees in exchange for denuclearisation. If that fails and a clear and present danger emerges, surgical strikes, cyber warfare, or covert operations should be on the table for US&mdash;just as they were in Syria or Iran.
Yes, it&rsquo;s risky. But the risk of inaction is greater. A nuclear weapon in the hands of a rogue element&mdash;or worse, in the hands of a terrorist network&mdash;is not a theoretical concern. It's a plausible outcome.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/water-not-guns-will-be-indias-biggest-weapon-against-pakistan-in-the-next-war-heres-why-9007381">Water, not guns, will be India's biggest weapon against Pakistan in the next war! Here's why</a>
Current US President Donald Trump is known for taking bold and unpredictable decisions in sensitive matters like this. His close rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could further influence and accelerate such an approach.
The world can no longer afford to remain a passive spectator. If Pakistan&rsquo;s descent into instability continues, global powers&mdash;led by the US&mdash;must be ready to act decisively, before a catastrophe unfolds that no nation on Earth could ever fully undo.
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

The US has long operated under the assumption that it can "manage" the risk by working with the Pakistani military. This assumption is growing outdated. Pakistan is currently experiencing one of the worst political crises in its history

As the world becomes more volatile, the idea of nuclear weapons sitting in the hands of a politically shaky state like Pakistan is no longer just a regional concern—it’s a global one. For years, Washington and its partners have relied on containment as the go-to strategy. However, that approach may no longer be enough. It’s time to confront a hard truth: the international community must now seriously explore ways to prevent Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal from ever being used by the wrong actors—even if that means considering actions once deemed off-limits. The Problematic Pakistan Pakistan is no longer just a nuclear-armed state. It is a nuclear-armed state teetering on the edge of political collapse, economic implosion and radicalisation. With its civilian government routinely overpowered by the military and shadowy intelligence agencies, and extremist ideologies increasingly seeping into the state's institutions, the line between national defence and rogue access is dangerously thin. The civilian leadership now exists under the constant shadow of a military that has a history of coups, electoral manipulation and building relationships with radical Islamist groups. Also read: Pakistan threatens war against India over Indus waters! But will it march towards its own collapse? Pakistan’s deep state—an opaque network of military generals, intelligence agencies like the ISI, and political puppets—has a long history of playing both sides of the war on terror. While accepting billions in US aid for counter-terrorism, Pakistan harboured Osama bin Laden for years and continues to provide safe havens to Taliban and Haqqani network leaders. Duality of Pakistan = Danger This duality makes Pakistan uniquely dangerous. It is not merely a state with nuclear weapons—it is a nuclear state with divided loyalties, weak democratic institutions and rising religious extremism. In such a volatile environment, the greatest fear is not a deliberate nuclear strike, but a loss of control. What if radical elements inside the military gain access? What if a future coup is led by hardline Islamists? What if a rogue scientist decides to sell nuclear material to the highest bidder? The US has long operated under the assumption that it can "manage" the risk by working with the Pakistani military. This assumption is growing outdated. Pakistan is currently experiencing one of the worst political crises in its history. With former Prime Minister Imran Khan imprisoned and the military-backed government facing intense public resistance, the state is unraveling. Meanwhile, its economy is on life support, relying on IMF bailouts and foreign aid to stay afloat. In this weakened condition, how secure can its nuclear assets truly be? How to Disarm Pakistan? Disarming Pakistan doesn't necessarily mean military invasion or occupation. It could start with multilateral diplomacy, offering economic aid and security guarantees in exchange for denuclearisation. If that fails and a clear and present danger emerges, surgical strikes, cyber warfare, or covert operations should be on the table for US—just as they were in Syria or Iran. Yes, it’s risky. But the risk of inaction is greater. A nuclear weapon in the hands of a rogue element—or worse, in the hands of a terrorist network—is not a theoretical concern. It's a plausible outcome. Also read: Water, not guns, will be India's biggest weapon against Pakistan in the next war! Here's why Current US President Donald Trump is known for taking bold and unpredictable decisions in sensitive matters like this. His close rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could further influence and accelerate such an approach. The world can no longer afford to remain a passive spectator. If Pakistan’s descent into instability continues, global powers—led by the US—must be ready to act decisively, before a catastrophe unfolds that no nation on Earth could ever fully undo. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Why Donald Trump must seize Pakistan's nuclear weapons

In the latest fallout following the deadly Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has taken a strong cultural stance by banning Indian music from airing on its FM radio stations. The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) announced this move, calling it immediate and nationwide. &nbsp;
This cultural freeze comes amid escalating diplomatic and trade tensions between the two countries. India had earlier banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels including major media networks like Samaa TV, ARY News, and Dawn News, citing the dissemination of provocative content. Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani celebrities, such as Mahira Khan and Hania Aamir, have also been restricted in India. &nbsp;
The decision to mute Indian songs was praised by Pakistan&rsquo;s Information Minister, Atta Tarar, who called it a &ldquo;patriotic&rdquo; step. &nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hania-aamir-responds-to-the-viral-fake-statement-on-pahalgam-terror-attack-pain-deserves-empathy-not-9024574">Hania Aamir responds to the viral &lsquo;fake&rsquo; statement on Pahalgam Terror attack: &lsquo;Pain deserves empathy not&hellip;&rsquo;</a>
<h2>Artists speak as tensions rise</h2>
Meanwhile, at times when Pakistani leaders are making statements threatening India with 'nuclear weapons', several artists Mahira Khan, who starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 Bollywood film Raees, expressed her condolences and said, &ldquo;When innocent lives are lost, the pain is not theirs alone&mdash;it belongs to all of us&hellip; May we choose humanity, always.&rdquo; &nbsp;
Earlier, Hania Aamir, whose Instagram account is no longer accessible in India, was falsely linked to a viral post. Issuing clarification, Hania expressed solidarity with the victims of the attack. &ldquo;Pain like this is real, and it deserves empathy&mdash;not politicisation,&rdquo; she said, urging restraint from assigning blame without proof.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rafale-m-vs-rafale-c-key-differences-between-indias-naval-and-air-force-jets-9021514">Rafale-M vs Rafale-C: Key differences between India&rsquo;s naval and air force jets</a>
<h2>Trade and airspace cutoffs add to strain </h2>
In the wake of this horrific Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the live of 26 innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government announced severe measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and a downgrade in diplomatic relations. As a retaliatory step, Pakistan also halted trade with India&mdash;even through third-party countries&mdash;and shut its airspace to Indian airliners. &nbsp;

In the latest fallout following the deadly Pahalgam attack Pakistan has taken a strong cultural stance by banning Indian music from airing on its FM radio stations.

In the latest fallout following the deadly Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has taken a strong cultural stance by banning Indian music from airing on its FM radio stations. The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) announced this move, calling it immediate and nationwide. This cultural freeze comes amid escalating diplomatic and trade tensions between the two countries. India had earlier banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels including major media networks like Samaa TV, ARY News, and Dawn News, citing the dissemination of provocative content. Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani celebrities, such as Mahira Khan and Hania Aamir, have also been restricted in India. The decision to mute Indian songs was praised by Pakistan’s Information Minister, Atta Tarar, who called it a “patriotic” step. Also Read: Hania Aamir responds to the viral ‘fake’ statement on Pahalgam Terror attack: ‘Pain deserves empathy not…’ Artists speak as tensions rise Meanwhile, at times when Pakistani leaders are making statements threatening India with 'nuclear weapons', several artists Mahira Khan, who starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 Bollywood film Raees, expressed her condolences and said, “When innocent lives are lost, the pain is not theirs alone—it belongs to all of us… May we choose humanity, always.” Earlier, Hania Aamir, whose Instagram account is no longer accessible in India, was falsely linked to a viral post. Issuing clarification, Hania expressed solidarity with the victims of the attack. “Pain like this is real, and it deserves empathy—not politicisation,” she said, urging restraint from assigning blame without proof. Also Read: Rafale-M vs Rafale-C: Key differences between India’s naval and air force jets Trade and airspace cutoffs add to strain In the wake of this horrific Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the live of 26 innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government announced severe measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and a downgrade in diplomatic relations. As a retaliatory step, Pakistan also halted trade with India—even through third-party countries—and shut its airspace to Indian airliners.

Indo-Pak standoff: Pakistan drops Bollywood beats from FM amid rising tensions

The exit deadline for Pakistani nationals holding short-term visas ended on April 26, with some allowed until April 29, depending on their visa category.

In Pics: Pakistan nationals depart India after MEA’s ‘Leave India’ notice

As part of the strict measures announced by the government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) directed on April 24 that all Pakistani nationals on short-term visas must leave India by April 27. With the deadline approaching, those who fail to exit the country will face legal consequences.
Pakistani nationals who overstay beyond the deadline will be liable for arrest, prosecution, and penalties under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. According to Section 23 of the Act, violations such as overstaying visas, breaching visa conditions, or entering restricted areas can result in up to three years' imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹3 lakh, or both.
<h2>What does the Act require?</h2>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lost-every-single-war-pakistani-author-calls-for-uprising-against-own-army-9008072">'Lost every single war': Pakistani author calls for uprising against own army</a>
The Act, which came into effect on April 4, applies to all foreign nationals. It explicitly states that foreigners who remain beyond the permitted duration or breach visa terms are liable for prosecution. Pakistani nationals whose visas fall under categories such as business, journalist, conference, student, visitor, group tourist, film, and pilgrim must leave immediately to avoid legal action.
The 48-hour deadline for those on SAARC and short-term visas ends on Sunday, while those on medical visas have until April 29. Authorities have clarified that no further extensions will be granted, and enforcement measures will begin immediately after the expiry of the deadline.
In an official press release issued on Friday, the MEA further clarified that the suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals does not affect long-term visas (LTVs) already granted to Hindu Pakistani nationals. These LTVs will remain valid despite the broader visa revocation orders.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/india-news/who-is-bilawal-bhutto-zardari-the-man-behind-the-blood-threat-to-india-9008031">Who is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the man behind the 'blood threat' to India?</a>
<h2>Exit directive issued after Pahalgam attack&nbsp;</h2>
The Centre's directive came in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists. The government responded by announcing a series of strict measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and tightening visa regulations for Pakistani nationals.
A 'Leave India' notice was issued to all Pakistani nationals on short-term visas, requiring immediate departure.

According to Section 23 of Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, violations such as overstaying visas, breaching visa conditions, or entering restricted areas can result in up to three years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh, or both.

As part of the strict measures announced by the government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) directed on April 24 that all Pakistani nationals on short-term visas must leave India by April 27. With the deadline approaching, those who fail to exit the country will face legal consequences. Pakistani nationals who overstay beyond the deadline will be liable for arrest, prosecution, and penalties under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. According to Section 23 of the Act, violations such as overstaying visas, breaching visa conditions, or entering restricted areas can result in up to three years' imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹3 lakh, or both. What does the Act require? Also Read: 'Lost every single war': Pakistani author calls for uprising against own army The Act, which came into effect on April 4, applies to all foreign nationals. It explicitly states that foreigners who remain beyond the permitted duration or breach visa terms are liable for prosecution. Pakistani nationals whose visas fall under categories such as business, journalist, conference, student, visitor, group tourist, film, and pilgrim must leave immediately to avoid legal action. The 48-hour deadline for those on SAARC and short-term visas ends on Sunday, while those on medical visas have until April 29. Authorities have clarified that no further extensions will be granted, and enforcement measures will begin immediately after the expiry of the deadline. In an official press release issued on Friday, the MEA further clarified that the suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals does not affect long-term visas (LTVs) already granted to Hindu Pakistani nationals. These LTVs will remain valid despite the broader visa revocation orders. Also Read: Who is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the man behind the 'blood threat' to India? Exit directive issued after Pahalgam attack The Centre's directive came in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists. The government responded by announcing a series of strict measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and tightening visa regulations for Pakistani nationals. A 'Leave India' notice was issued to all Pakistani nationals on short-term visas, requiring immediate departure.

India-Pak conflict: Pakistani nationals to face jail or Rs 3 lakh fine as deadline ends

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, when several Pakistani leaders threaten to unleash nukes on India, a post by a Pakistani-origin author, Harris Sultan, stating, "The Pakistani military has lost every single war&mdash;I think they&rsquo;re prepared to lose another one," is going viral on social media.
In a post on social media platform 'X,' Sultan said that even if India were to attempt to take Pakistan-administered Kashmir, it would not automatically trigger a nuclear war. He argued that Pakistani military leadership would not sacrifice the country for "Azaad Kashmir," expressing anger and frustration at what he called the military's dangerous rhetoric.
<h2>Comments follow Hanif Abbasi's nuke threat</h2>
Sultan&rsquo;s remarks follow Pakistani Minister Hanif Abbasi&rsquo;s threat earlier in the day, where he claimed that Pakistan&rsquo;s missile arsenal, including Ghori, Shaheen, and Ghaznavi missiles, along with 130 nuclear warheads, was ready "only for India."
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-unspoken-numbers-how-many-nuclear-warheads-lie-in-india-and-pakistans-hands-9007294">How many nuclear warheads lie in India and Pakistan's hands?</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m9zqgdmx-53w03jxf-dzzlobzj">
If there&rsquo;s one thing we can learn from Putin&rsquo;s regular nuclear sabre-rattling, it&rsquo;s that dictators value their own lives more than anything. They would never use nuclear weapons in a regional conflict if it meant guaranteeing the destruction of their entire country. If India&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/qWJ4XwsIiE">pic.twitter.com/qWJ4XwsIiE</a>
&mdash; Harris Sultan (@TheHarrisSultan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHarrisSultan/status/1915596463046090796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
Referring to global examples, Sultan wrote that dictators such as Russia&rsquo;s Vladimir Putin value their own survival above all else and are unlikely to use nuclear weapons if it guarantees their country's destruction. Sultan warned that while the use of a tactical nuclear weapon on Pakistani territory could not be ruled out, such an action would lead to serious consequences, including potential disarmament of the Pakistani military.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bhishma-vikramaditya-and-more-indias-deadliest-weapons-that-instill-fear-among-enemies-9004089">'Bhishma, BrahMos, Vikramaditya and more': India&rsquo;s deadliest weapons that instill fear among enemies</a>
The comments come amid worsening diplomatic and military tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in India, which triggered a series of strict measures and counter-measures between the two countries.
<h2>'A Call for unity among Pakistanis'</h2>
Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently told Sky News that deteriorating ties could lead to full-scale war.
Calling for unity among Pakistanis, Sultan said that the Pakistani military has lost every war it has fought and urged the people to rid themselves of what he described as the 'corrupt military elite.' "This time, I hope the people of Pakistan rise up and finally rid themselves of their corrupt military elite," he said. 
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

A post by a Pakistani-origin author, Harris Sultan, stating, "The Pakistani military has lost every single war—I think they’re prepared to lose another one," is going viral on social media.

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, when several Pakistani leaders threaten to unleash nukes on India, a post by a Pakistani-origin author, Harris Sultan, stating, "The Pakistani military has lost every single war—I think they’re prepared to lose another one," is going viral on social media. In a post on social media platform 'X,' Sultan said that even if India were to attempt to take Pakistan-administered Kashmir, it would not automatically trigger a nuclear war. He argued that Pakistani military leadership would not sacrifice the country for "Azaad Kashmir," expressing anger and frustration at what he called the military's dangerous rhetoric. Comments follow Hanif Abbasi's nuke threat Sultan’s remarks follow Pakistani Minister Hanif Abbasi’s threat earlier in the day, where he claimed that Pakistan’s missile arsenal, including Ghori, Shaheen, and Ghaznavi missiles, along with 130 nuclear warheads, was ready "only for India." Also Read: How many nuclear warheads lie in India and Pakistan's hands? If there’s one thing we can learn from Putin’s regular nuclear sabre-rattling, it’s that dictators value their own lives more than anything. They would never use nuclear weapons in a regional conflict if it meant guaranteeing the destruction of their entire country. If India… pic.twitter.com/qWJ4XwsIiE — Harris Sultan (@TheHarrisSultan) April 25, 2025 Referring to global examples, Sultan wrote that dictators such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin value their own survival above all else and are unlikely to use nuclear weapons if it guarantees their country's destruction. Sultan warned that while the use of a tactical nuclear weapon on Pakistani territory could not be ruled out, such an action would lead to serious consequences, including potential disarmament of the Pakistani military. Also Read: 'Bhishma, BrahMos, Vikramaditya and more': India’s deadliest weapons that instill fear among enemies The comments come amid worsening diplomatic and military tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in India, which triggered a series of strict measures and counter-measures between the two countries. 'A Call for unity among Pakistanis' Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently told Sky News that deteriorating ties could lead to full-scale war. Calling for unity among Pakistanis, Sultan said that the Pakistani military has lost every war it has fought and urged the people to rid themselves of what he described as the 'corrupt military elite.' "This time, I hope the people of Pakistan rise up and finally rid themselves of their corrupt military elite," he said.

'Lost every single war': Pakistani author calls for uprising against own army

According to the latest Status of World Nuclear Forces report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), published in March 2025, India now possesses an estimated 180 nuclear warheads, overtaking Pakistan’s 170.

How many nuclear warheads lie in India and Pakistan's hands?

India&rsquo;s decision to cancel the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack has opened a dangerous new chapter for South Asia. Pakistan, which depends heavily on the Indus River system, supplying around 90 per cent of its agricultural needs, has threatened retaliation. However, despite the rhetoric, Pakistan is in no real position to fight a war over water. Let's understand why -&nbsp; Signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, the Indus Waters Treaty divided six rivers between India and Pakistan. India received control over the eastern rivers &mdash; Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej &mdash; while Pakistan was granted rights to the western rivers &mdash; Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The western rivers constitute nearly 80 per cent of the total annual flow of the Indus Basin, amounting to approximately 135 million acre-feet of water each year &mdash; making them critical for Pakistan&rsquo;s agriculture, drinking water, and power generation. This treaty has been the backbone of Pakistan&rsquo;s agricultural economy and urban survival for over six decades. 
<h2>Weaponisation of Water</h2>
Now, with the treaty suspended, India has the power to build dams, divert flows, or even restrict water headed towards Pakistan. The consequences for Pakistan would be swift and severe. Drinking water shortages could emerge within 2&ndash;3 weeks. Irrigation systems, crucial for sustaining Pakistan&rsquo;s agriculture, would begin to break down shortly after. Punjab, which produces over 75 per cent of Pakistan&rsquo;s wheat and 90 per cent of its rice, could see its crop output collapse &mdash; a devastating blow to both the economy and food security. The threat also extends to electricity supply of Pakistan. Hydroelectric plants such as Mangla (with a capacity of 1,000 MW) and Tarbela (one of the world's largest earth-filled dams, producing around 4,888 MW) rely entirely on the western rivers. In the absence of steady water flow, Pakistan would face blackouts, crippling industries that contribute nearly 19 per cent to its GDP and affecting daily civilian life. Amidst a conflict, the collapse of basic services could quickly trigger unrest among Pakistan&rsquo;s 241 million citizens, leading to riots and political instability. From a strategic perspective, India&rsquo;s control over water gives it a massive advantage without direct military engagement. Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces, numbering around 650,000 active personnel, require stable logistical support, including water for troops and bases. Sustaining a prolonged military operation would become increasingly difficult for Pakistan, compromising field operations, equipment movement, and troop welfare.
More worryingly for Pakistan, this crisis accelerates an already grim timeline. Even before the current standoff, the United Nations had warned that Pakistan could become a water-scarce country by 2025, with per capita water availability expected to fall below 1,000 cubic meters &mdash; the threshold defining "water scarcity." Without access to the Indus system, that timeline is no longer theoretical.
Meanwhile, Pakistan&rsquo;s economy is already under enormous strain. Its foreign reserves have fallen to just around $8 billion &mdash; barely enough to cover less than two months of imports. Inflation is soaring above 25 per cent and the country remains heavily reliant on IMF bailouts and foreign loans. Entering a war under such conditions would almost certainly push the country toward economic collapse. Internationally, Islamabad finds itself increasingly isolated. Even China, Pakistan&rsquo;s largest creditor with investments worth over $65 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is unlikely to intervene militarily over river waters. Western countries, viewing India as a growing $3.7 trillion economy and an important democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific, are increasingly siding with New Delhi.
Losing access to the Indus waters would strike at the very foundations of Pakistan&rsquo;s economy, governance, and society. While Pakistan may threaten retaliation, the brutal truth is hard to escape: it cannot afford a war over water &mdash; not today, and not in the foreseeable future.
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Drinking water shortages could emerge within 2–3 weeks. Irrigation systems, crucial for sustaining Pakistan’s agriculture, would begin to break down shortly after. Punjab, which produces over 75 per cent of Pakistan’s wheat and 90 per cent of its rice, could see its crop output collapse.

India’s decision to cancel the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack has opened a dangerous new chapter for South Asia. Pakistan, which depends heavily on the Indus River system, supplying around 90 per cent of its agricultural needs, has threatened retaliation. However, despite the rhetoric, Pakistan is in no real position to fight a war over water. Let's understand why - Signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, the Indus Waters Treaty divided six rivers between India and Pakistan. India received control over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — while Pakistan was granted rights to the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The western rivers constitute nearly 80 per cent of the total annual flow of the Indus Basin, amounting to approximately 135 million acre-feet of water each year — making them critical for Pakistan’s agriculture, drinking water, and power generation. This treaty has been the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy and urban survival for over six decades. Weaponisation of Water Now, with the treaty suspended, India has the power to build dams, divert flows, or even restrict water headed towards Pakistan. The consequences for Pakistan would be swift and severe. Drinking water shortages could emerge within 2–3 weeks. Irrigation systems, crucial for sustaining Pakistan’s agriculture, would begin to break down shortly after. Punjab, which produces over 75 per cent of Pakistan’s wheat and 90 per cent of its rice, could see its crop output collapse — a devastating blow to both the economy and food security. The threat also extends to electricity supply of Pakistan. Hydroelectric plants such as Mangla (with a capacity of 1,000 MW) and Tarbela (one of the world's largest earth-filled dams, producing around 4,888 MW) rely entirely on the western rivers. In the absence of steady water flow, Pakistan would face blackouts, crippling industries that contribute nearly 19 per cent to its GDP and affecting daily civilian life. Amidst a conflict, the collapse of basic services could quickly trigger unrest among Pakistan’s 241 million citizens, leading to riots and political instability. From a strategic perspective, India’s control over water gives it a massive advantage without direct military engagement. Pakistan’s armed forces, numbering around 650,000 active personnel, require stable logistical support, including water for troops and bases. Sustaining a prolonged military operation would become increasingly difficult for Pakistan, compromising field operations, equipment movement, and troop welfare. More worryingly for Pakistan, this crisis accelerates an already grim timeline. Even before the current standoff, the United Nations had warned that Pakistan could become a water-scarce country by 2025, with per capita water availability expected to fall below 1,000 cubic meters — the threshold defining "water scarcity." Without access to the Indus system, that timeline is no longer theoretical. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economy is already under enormous strain. Its foreign reserves have fallen to just around $8 billion — barely enough to cover less than two months of imports. Inflation is soaring above 25 per cent and the country remains heavily reliant on IMF bailouts and foreign loans. Entering a war under such conditions would almost certainly push the country toward economic collapse. Internationally, Islamabad finds itself increasingly isolated. Even China, Pakistan’s largest creditor with investments worth over $65 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is unlikely to intervene militarily over river waters. Western countries, viewing India as a growing $3.7 trillion economy and an important democratic partner in the Indo-Pacific, are increasingly siding with New Delhi. Losing access to the Indus waters would strike at the very foundations of Pakistan’s economy, governance, and society. While Pakistan may threaten retaliation, the brutal truth is hard to escape: it cannot afford a war over water — not today, and not in the foreseeable future. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Water, not guns, will be India's biggest weapon against Pakistan in the next war! Here's why

Amid surging tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and a series of retailatory measures that followed, social media in Pakistan has erupted &mdash; not in fear, but in humour. As India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, halted visas, and downgraded diplomatic ties, Pakistanis responded with a flood of memes against themselves, rather than panic.
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India ne pani khol diya <a href="https://t.co/A5Vit1ygej">pic.twitter.com/A5Vit1ygej</a>
&mdash; Faizan (@faizannrriaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/faizannrriaz/status/1916146483172184112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
The military is practicing, Pakistani leaders are threatening war, and both sides are preparing for any warlike scenario. If one ever occurs, Pakistanis are sharing memes that are absolutely hilarious. From water shortages to complete blackout, Pakistanis imagined a host of repercussions they might have to face due to India's measures.
The meme wave intensified on Saturday after Pakistan accused India of releasing water into the Jhelum River without prior notice. On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote, "Wake up Anarkali, water has come, go wash your clothes," while others joked about finally being able to take a shower. The humour did not stop there. As tensions grew, memes lampooned not only the escalating diplomatic crisis but also Pakistan&rsquo;s own internal struggles.
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War cancel. Back to boring routine again. <a href="https://t.co/PyLRJHiU1V">pic.twitter.com/PyLRJHiU1V</a>
&mdash; 𝒥. Sad Hazelnut (@naanchannay) <a href="https://twitter.com/naanchannay/status/1916217603875607020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-give-befitting-reply-to-perpetrators-of-pahalgam-terror-attack-says-pm-modi-9006610">Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi sends stern warning to 'conspirators and perpetrators' of Pahalgam terror attack</a>
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Hum ny adhi dunia ka qarza dena hai es leye koi bhi india ko hum pr hamla nhi krny dy ga, soo jao sb😌 <a href="https://t.co/lMOa9WEdlW">https://t.co/lMOa9WEdlW</a>
&mdash; Chilli Butter (@ChilliButter_) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChilliButter_/status/1915455438386085959?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/580x348/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/f075726c-a03.png" data-clarity-loaded="1dxlbv3">
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koi dubai main free dance classes he de de mujhe? itni frustration aur anxiety kaisay niklay gi yaar. walk ker ker k mere paoun jawaab de gaye hain
&mdash; askari 10 ko bacha lo! (@mahobili) <a href="https://twitter.com/mahobili/status/1916219996541489386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
Facing open threats from leaders like Pakistan&rsquo;s Hanif Abbasi, who on Sunday warned India of "130 nukes aimed at you," the public on social media chose mockery over fear. Many users earlier, pointed to existing hardships, writing, "Stop water? It doesn't come anyway," and "Take Lahore, you'll return it in half an hour."
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pakistanis when indians tweet "sona mat" <a href="https://t.co/xCemV1Bab3">pic.twitter.com/xCemV1Bab3</a>
&mdash; Pai. (@humanpai) <a href="https://twitter.com/humanpai/status/1916163281300980004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Utho anarkali pani aa gaya kapre dho lo <a href="https://t.co/1XYKiJBp8Y">pic.twitter.com/1XYKiJBp8Y</a>
&mdash; 🇵🇰 Mr. Capitalist (@__capitalist___) <a href="https://twitter.com/__capitalist___/status/1916147937488310312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Pakistani bacche 🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/ddxDdq5y6N">pic.twitter.com/ddxDdq5y6N</a>
&mdash; narsa. (@rathor7_) <a href="https://twitter.com/rathor7_/status/1916008157408592343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pakistan-threatens-war-against-india-over-indus-waters-but-will-it-march-toward-its-own-collapse-9004506">Pakistan threatens war against India over Indus waters! But will it march towards its own collapse?</a>
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the funniest shit is, there is absolutely nothing india can threaten us with that we aren&rsquo;t already suffering from at the hands of our govt pani rok louge? wese hi nahi aata maar dou ge? humari govt maar hi rahi hai lahore le lou ge? Le lo adhay ghantay baad khud wapis ker jaoge
&mdash; nma (@namaloomafraaad) <a href="https://twitter.com/namaloomafraaad/status/1915296274338767144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
While the tragic loss of lives in Pahalgam has been widely condemned, Pakistan&rsquo;s digital generation seems more focused on exposing the country&rsquo;s economic struggles. Even as political leaders threaten India with war, the public &mdash; armed with wit and humour &mdash; appears well aware that Pakistan is in no condition for conflict. This echoes the 2019 Pulwama episode, when, despite India&rsquo;s cross-border strikes, Pakistanis chose satire over sabre-rattling.

The military is practicing, Pakistani leaders are threatening war, and both sides are preparing for any warlike scenario, if one ever occurs, thus even though the situation seems scary, Pakistanis are sharing memes that are absolutely hilarious.

Amid surging tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and a series of retailatory measures that followed, social media in Pakistan has erupted — not in fear, but in humour. As India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, halted visas, and downgraded diplomatic ties, Pakistanis responded with a flood of memes against themselves, rather than panic. India ne pani khol diya pic.twitter.com/A5Vit1ygej — Faizan (@faizannrriaz) April 26, 2025 The military is practicing, Pakistani leaders are threatening war, and both sides are preparing for any warlike scenario. If one ever occurs, Pakistanis are sharing memes that are absolutely hilarious. From water shortages to complete blackout, Pakistanis imagined a host of repercussions they might have to face due to India's measures. The meme wave intensified on Saturday after Pakistan accused India of releasing water into the Jhelum River without prior notice. On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote, "Wake up Anarkali, water has come, go wash your clothes," while others joked about finally being able to take a shower. The humour did not stop there. As tensions grew, memes lampooned not only the escalating diplomatic crisis but also Pakistan’s own internal struggles. War cancel. Back to boring routine again. pic.twitter.com/PyLRJHiU1V — 𝒥. Sad Hazelnut (@naanchannay) April 26, 2025 Also Read: Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi sends stern warning to 'conspirators and perpetrators' of Pahalgam terror attack Hum ny adhi dunia ka qarza dena hai es leye koi bhi india ko hum pr hamla nhi krny dy ga, soo jao sb😌 https://t.co/lMOa9WEdlW — Chilli Butter (@ChilliButter_) April 24, 2025 koi dubai main free dance classes he de de mujhe? itni frustration aur anxiety kaisay niklay gi yaar. walk ker ker k mere paoun jawaab de gaye hain — askari 10 ko bacha lo! (@mahobili) April 26, 2025 Facing open threats from leaders like Pakistan’s Hanif Abbasi, who on Sunday warned India of "130 nukes aimed at you," the public on social media chose mockery over fear. Many users earlier, pointed to existing hardships, writing, "Stop water? It doesn't come anyway," and "Take Lahore, you'll return it in half an hour." pakistanis when indians tweet "sona mat" pic.twitter.com/xCemV1Bab3 — Pai. (@humanpai) April 26, 2025 Utho anarkali pani aa gaya kapre dho lo pic.twitter.com/1XYKiJBp8Y — 🇵🇰 Mr. Capitalist (@__capitalist___) April 26, 2025 Pakistani bacche 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ddxDdq5y6N — narsa. (@rathor7_) April 26, 2025 Also Read: Pakistan threatens war against India over Indus waters! But will it march towards its own collapse? the funniest shit is, there is absolutely nothing india can threaten us with that we aren’t already suffering from at the hands of our govt pani rok louge? wese hi nahi aata maar dou ge? humari govt maar hi rahi hai lahore le lou ge? Le lo adhay ghantay baad khud wapis ker jaoge — nma (@namaloomafraaad) April 24, 2025 While the tragic loss of lives in Pahalgam has been widely condemned, Pakistan’s digital generation seems more focused on exposing the country’s economic struggles. Even as political leaders threaten India with war, the public — armed with wit and humour — appears well aware that Pakistan is in no condition for conflict. This echoes the 2019 Pulwama episode, when, despite India’s cross-border strikes, Pakistanis chose satire over sabre-rattling.

'Shaadi tak jang rok do': Pakistani netizens troll themselves amid Indo-Pak war tensions

The cancellation of the Indus Waters Treaty by India following the Pahalgam terror attack has pushed South Asia into a dangerous new reality. Pakistan, heavily dependent on the Indus River system for survival, is now threatening retaliation against India.&nbsp;
The situation is such that the Bilawal Zardari Bhutto on Saturday went on to say that, 'either our water or their (India's) blood will flow through it'. However, a deeper look reveals that Pakistan may not have the capacity &mdash; economically, militarily, or socially &mdash; to sustain a war over water.
Pakistani economy was pushed to the brink of collapse after the COVID-19 pandemic and is still struggling to stabilise. Even a short, limited conflict would impose severe economic costs that Pakistan is unlikely to absorb without catastrophic consequences.
<h2>Indus Valley Treaty Threat</h2>
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) poses a major threat to Pakistan, risking a sharp decline in crop yields, food shortages and mass migrations. With over 30 per cent of its electricity dependent on Indus-fed hydro plants, reduced river flows would cripple power generation, force costly fuel imports and worsen energy shortages. Cities like Karachi and Lahore, heavily reliant on Indus tributaries, could face severe drinking water crises, sparking public unrest.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bhishma-vikramaditya-and-more-indias-deadliest-weapons-that-instill-fear-among-enemies-9004089">Also Read- 'Bhishma, BrahMos, Vikramaditya and more': India&rsquo;s deadliest weapons that instill fear among enemies</a>
Economically, the Indus system underpins 25 per cent of Pakistan&rsquo;s GDP; any disruption could slash farm exports, widen the trade deficit, and devastate rural economies. Politically, while Pakistan has labeled India's move as &ldquo;water terrorism,&rdquo; any initial rally in national sentiment would likely collapse under the pressure of widespread socioeconomic instability and weakened state control.
<h2>Pakistan&rsquo;s economic struggles</h2>
Today, due to prolonged military dictatorships, poor governance, and the pursuit of cross-border terrorism as a state policy, the country faces economic ruin.&nbsp;
The country's financial health deteriorated to such an extent that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal appealed to citizens to reduce tea consumption in 2022, highlighting the dependency on borrowed funds even for basic imports. Inflation touched a record high of 38.5 per cent in May 2023, economic growth turned negative, and foreign reserves fell to barely sustain a few weeks of essential imports.
Economically, Pakistan is at one of its weakest points. The country&rsquo;s foreign reserves barely cover a month's worth of imports, and it is heavily reliant on IMF bailouts and foreign aid. Entering a war under such economic conditions would be disastrous.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/inside-indias-deadliest-forces-decoding-the-fearsome-reputation-of-marcos-and-nsg-commandos-9004108">Inside India&rsquo;s deadliest forces: Decoding the fearsome reputation of MARCOS and NSG commandos</a>
India spends nearly 10&times; more on its military. In 2023 India&rsquo;s defence budget was about $83.6 billion&nbsp;versus Pakistan&rsquo;s $8.5 billion. This allows India to field more ships, aircraft, missiles and modern technology. Pakistan&rsquo;s budget limits its forces to older systems (e.g. F‑16s, JF‑17s) and small-scale purchases from China and Turkey.
Pakistan&rsquo;s 2024&ndash;25 defence budget is about PKR 2.13 trillion ($7.6 billion), a real increase over last year, but sharply eroded by inflation.&nbsp;By contrast India&rsquo;s 2024&ndash;25 defence outlay is near $80 billion. The disparity means Pakistan cannot match India&rsquo;s procurement or sustain a prolonged arms build-up without deep cuts elsewhere.
<h2>External Debts</h2>
Pakistan is already forced to dedicate a large share of its budget to debt service and subsidies. Its defence outlay (about 7&ndash;8 per cent of GDP) crowds out social and development spending. A war would sharply increase military spending (overwhelming the budget) just as Pakistan&rsquo;s economy can least afford it. Further, conflict could devastate Pakistan&rsquo;s already fragile economy &ndash; even a short conflict would deter foreign investment and disrupt trade. The IMF and experts caution that any war would fatally undermine recent stabilization efforts of Pakistan's economy.
Facing a sovereign default in mid-2023, Pakistan survived through a $3 billion short-term financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Further financial assistance came through loan rollovers by traditional allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and China.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-the-tsar-nuclear-bomb-and-why-it-could-destroy-the-entire-earth-within-a-few-hours-9004576">What is the Tsar Nuclear Bomb and how it could destroy the entire Earth within a few hours</a>
Despite this relief, Pakistan&rsquo;s debt-to-GDP ratio remains dangerously high at 70 per cent. Between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of government revenue is allocated for interest repayments. The country&rsquo;s external financing needs are estimated at over $22 billion for the coming fiscal year, a burden that continues to strain its limited resources.
The IMF recently agreed to release $1.3 billion under a climate resilience loan programme and another $1 billion under the existing $7 billion bailout package. Though these packages offer temporary relief, they demand strict economic reforms.
<h2>Internal Instability Risks</h2>
Pakistan&rsquo;s political landscape remains fractured after recent elections, making a unified national response difficult. The country is also battling internal challenges like terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and public dissatisfaction over rising inflation.
Pakistan&rsquo;s government (led by Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s coalition) holds a slim majority and faces strong opposition. The 2023 elections were marred by controversy, and the ousted PTI party (Imran Khan&rsquo;s) still has massive support and has fueled street protests.&nbsp;
<h2>Can Pakistan Afford to Fight a War?</h2>
All these factors put together paint a grim picture for Pakistan. Its economy is fragile and debt-laden, while the military is under-resourced and its political situation is volatile. Cancelling the Indus Waters Treaty &mdash; effectively choking Pakistan&rsquo;s lifeblood &mdash; would compound these crises. In such conditions, even a short conventional war with India could push Pakistan to the brink of economic collapse. Any conflict would devastate Pakistan&rsquo;s agriculture, energy, and budget, while likely prompting global isolation. India, with its far larger economy and military and stronger international support, would thus hold a decisive advantage.
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

The situation is such that the Bilawal Zardari Bhutto on Saturday went on to say that, 'either our water or their (India's) blood will flow through it'. However, a deeper look reveals that Pakistan may not have the capacity — economically, militarily, or socially — to sustain a war over water.

The cancellation of the Indus Waters Treaty by India following the Pahalgam terror attack has pushed South Asia into a dangerous new reality. Pakistan, heavily dependent on the Indus River system for survival, is now threatening retaliation against India. The situation is such that the Bilawal Zardari Bhutto on Saturday went on to say that, 'either our water or their (India's) blood will flow through it'. However, a deeper look reveals that Pakistan may not have the capacity — economically, militarily, or socially — to sustain a war over water. Pakistani economy was pushed to the brink of collapse after the COVID-19 pandemic and is still struggling to stabilise. Even a short, limited conflict would impose severe economic costs that Pakistan is unlikely to absorb without catastrophic consequences. Indus Valley Treaty Threat The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) poses a major threat to Pakistan, risking a sharp decline in crop yields, food shortages and mass migrations. With over 30 per cent of its electricity dependent on Indus-fed hydro plants, reduced river flows would cripple power generation, force costly fuel imports and worsen energy shortages. Cities like Karachi and Lahore, heavily reliant on Indus tributaries, could face severe drinking water crises, sparking public unrest. Also Read- 'Bhishma, BrahMos, Vikramaditya and more': India’s deadliest weapons that instill fear among enemies Economically, the Indus system underpins 25 per cent of Pakistan’s GDP; any disruption could slash farm exports, widen the trade deficit, and devastate rural economies. Politically, while Pakistan has labeled India's move as “water terrorism,” any initial rally in national sentiment would likely collapse under the pressure of widespread socioeconomic instability and weakened state control. Pakistan’s economic struggles Today, due to prolonged military dictatorships, poor governance, and the pursuit of cross-border terrorism as a state policy, the country faces economic ruin. The country's financial health deteriorated to such an extent that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal appealed to citizens to reduce tea consumption in 2022, highlighting the dependency on borrowed funds even for basic imports. Inflation touched a record high of 38.5 per cent in May 2023, economic growth turned negative, and foreign reserves fell to barely sustain a few weeks of essential imports. Economically, Pakistan is at one of its weakest points. The country’s foreign reserves barely cover a month's worth of imports, and it is heavily reliant on IMF bailouts and foreign aid. Entering a war under such economic conditions would be disastrous. Also read: Inside India’s deadliest forces: Decoding the fearsome reputation of MARCOS and NSG commandos India spends nearly 10× more on its military. In 2023 India’s defence budget was about $83.6 billion versus Pakistan’s $8.5 billion. This allows India to field more ships, aircraft, missiles and modern technology. Pakistan’s budget limits its forces to older systems (e.g. F‑16s, JF‑17s) and small-scale purchases from China and Turkey. Pakistan’s 2024–25 defence budget is about PKR 2.13 trillion ($7.6 billion), a real increase over last year, but sharply eroded by inflation. By contrast India’s 2024–25 defence outlay is near $80 billion. The disparity means Pakistan cannot match India’s procurement or sustain a prolonged arms build-up without deep cuts elsewhere. External Debts Pakistan is already forced to dedicate a large share of its budget to debt service and subsidies. Its defence outlay (about 7–8 per cent of GDP) crowds out social and development spending. A war would sharply increase military spending (overwhelming the budget) just as Pakistan’s economy can least afford it. Further, conflict could devastate Pakistan’s already fragile economy – even a short conflict would deter foreign investment and disrupt trade. The IMF and experts caution that any war would fatally undermine recent stabilization efforts of Pakistan's economy. Facing a sovereign default in mid-2023, Pakistan survived through a $3 billion short-term financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Further financial assistance came through loan rollovers by traditional allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Also read: What is the Tsar Nuclear Bomb and how it could destroy the entire Earth within a few hours Despite this relief, Pakistan’s debt-to-GDP ratio remains dangerously high at 70 per cent. Between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of government revenue is allocated for interest repayments. The country’s external financing needs are estimated at over $22 billion for the coming fiscal year, a burden that continues to strain its limited resources. The IMF recently agreed to release $1.3 billion under a climate resilience loan programme and another $1 billion under the existing $7 billion bailout package. Though these packages offer temporary relief, they demand strict economic reforms. Internal Instability Risks Pakistan’s political landscape remains fractured after recent elections, making a unified national response difficult. The country is also battling internal challenges like terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and public dissatisfaction over rising inflation. Pakistan’s government (led by Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition) holds a slim majority and faces strong opposition. The 2023 elections were marred by controversy, and the ousted PTI party (Imran Khan’s) still has massive support and has fueled street protests. Can Pakistan Afford to Fight a War? All these factors put together paint a grim picture for Pakistan. Its economy is fragile and debt-laden, while the military is under-resourced and its political situation is volatile. Cancelling the Indus Waters Treaty — effectively choking Pakistan’s lifeblood — would compound these crises. In such conditions, even a short conventional war with India could push Pakistan to the brink of economic collapse. Any conflict would devastate Pakistan’s agriculture, energy, and budget, while likely prompting global isolation. India, with its far larger economy and military and stronger international support, would thus hold a decisive advantage. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Pakistan threatens war against India over Indus waters! But will it march towards its own collapse?

In the aftermath of the pahalgam terror attack, the tension seems to be escalating between India and Pakistan. While india has taken a number of strict measures, Islamabad also doesn't shy away from threatening war of situation worsens. 


'Bhishma, BrahMos, Vikramaditya and more': India’s deadliest weapons that instill fear among enemies

Following a series of diplomatic escalations against Pakistan post the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 27 civilians, the Indian Navy has deployed its first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, near the Karwar coast in the Arabian Sea.
This deployment, evokes memories of one of the most decisive maritime episodes in the subcontinent&rsquo;s history&mdash;the sinking of PNS Ghazi in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ins-vikrant-deployed-in-arabian-sea-as-tensions-escalate-with-pakistan-8998843">Also Read- INS Vikrant deployed in Arabian Sea as tensions escalate with Pakistan</a>
<h2>1971: The battle beneath the waves</h2>
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Pakistan launched a covert operation to eliminate India&rsquo;s pride, the aircraft carrier called INS Vikrant. The Indian aircraft carrier, at the time was under repair and maintainance. The Pakistani Navy dispatched its most advanced submarine, a US-leased, PNS Ghazi, with a dual mission: to destroy Vikrant and establish dominance in the Bay of Bengal.
While Pakistan believed INS Vikrant to be anchored off Visakhapatnam, the carrier had been secretly redeployed to the Andaman Islands, away from harm. In its place, the Indian Navy had dispatched its INS Rajput, an ageing yet tactically capable destroyer, to patrol this coastline.
Also Read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-standoff-revisiting-the-1971-war-and-the-legacy-of-the-simla-agreement-9001734">India-Pakistan standoff: Revisiting the 1971 war and the legacy of the Simla Agreement</a>
<img alt="PNS Ghazi" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/25/Mi6YDatrOS7vS3YicTID.jpg" style="width: 1280px;">
<h2>The sinking of PNS Ghazi</h2>
On the night of 3 December 1971, INS Rajput detected an unusual underwater activity near the Visakhapatnam harbour. Depth charges were deployed in suspected zones and within hours a massive underwater explosion was recorded. The following morning, wreckage of PNS Ghazi was found drifting and scattered near the harbour entrance.
Pakistani military, however, maintained that an accidental internal explosion was the cause, Indian naval accounts and subsequent analysis credited INS Rajput with neutralising the threat through deliberate action.
Also Read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/india-news/5-times-indias-military-has-triumphed-against-pakistans-aggression-9000737">5 times India&rsquo;s military triumphed over Pakistan's aggression</a>
<h2>History echoes in 2025</h2>
Today, as ceasefire violations escalate and the spectre of cross-border conflict looms once more, the Indian Navy has mindfully deployed the latest INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea. Though officially unlinked, its presence is a subtle message: India remains vigilant and ready to defend its sovereignty at sea.

On the night of 3 December 1971, INS Rajput detected an unusual underwater activity near the Visakhapatnam harbour. The following morning, wreckage of PNS Ghazi was found drifting and scattered near the harbour entrance.

Following a series of diplomatic escalations against Pakistan post the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 27 civilians, the Indian Navy has deployed its first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, near the Karwar coast in the Arabian Sea. This deployment, evokes memories of one of the most decisive maritime episodes in the subcontinent’s history—the sinking of PNS Ghazi in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Also Read- INS Vikrant deployed in Arabian Sea as tensions escalate with Pakistan 1971: The battle beneath the waves During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Pakistan launched a covert operation to eliminate India’s pride, the aircraft carrier called INS Vikrant. The Indian aircraft carrier, at the time was under repair and maintainance. The Pakistani Navy dispatched its most advanced submarine, a US-leased, PNS Ghazi, with a dual mission: to destroy Vikrant and establish dominance in the Bay of Bengal. While Pakistan believed INS Vikrant to be anchored off Visakhapatnam, the carrier had been secretly redeployed to the Andaman Islands, away from harm. In its place, the Indian Navy had dispatched its INS Rajput, an ageing yet tactically capable destroyer, to patrol this coastline. Also Read- India-Pakistan standoff: Revisiting the 1971 war and the legacy of the Simla Agreement The sinking of PNS Ghazi On the night of 3 December 1971, INS Rajput detected an unusual underwater activity near the Visakhapatnam harbour. Depth charges were deployed in suspected zones and within hours a massive underwater explosion was recorded. The following morning, wreckage of PNS Ghazi was found drifting and scattered near the harbour entrance. Pakistani military, however, maintained that an accidental internal explosion was the cause, Indian naval accounts and subsequent analysis credited INS Rajput with neutralising the threat through deliberate action. Also Read- 5 times India’s military triumphed over Pakistan's aggression History echoes in 2025 Today, as ceasefire violations escalate and the spectre of cross-border conflict looms once more, the Indian Navy has mindfully deployed the latest INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea. Though officially unlinked, its presence is a subtle message: India remains vigilant and ready to defend its sovereignty at sea.

'INS Vikrant, Rajput and trapping of PNS Ghazi': How India sank Pakistan's most advanced submarine of its time

Beyond tactical manoeuvres and territorial defence, the conflict is remembered for the lives given in silence and strength. Among the many who did not return, five soldiers stand as symbols of duty and resolve.

India-Pakistan Standoff: 5 heroes who shaped Indian Army’s victory in the Kargil war

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