Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan alleged on Thursday that all the war hysteria in India is because of the upcoming general elections.
Imran Khan further alleged that he tried to speak to PM Narendra Modi yesterday (Wednesday) as well, but could not succeed in his bid to de-escalate the rising tension between India and Pakistan.
Speaking at the Pakistan National Assembly, Imran Khan said, “I spoke to several nations yesterday. I even tried to speak to Narendra Modi, but to no avail.”
The Pakistani PM further warned India saying his attempts to de-escalate the tension must not be read as Pakistan’s weakness.
“Don’t assume this to be Pakistan’s weakness. We are trying to de-escalate the tension in everyone’s interests,” said Khan
Speaking on the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot early on Tuesday morning, Imran Khan said, “Since there were no casualties, we are hitting back. If we escalate now, there will be more casualties. Our forces have fought wars for decades, they are battle-hardened. It is not in India and Pakistan’s interests to escalate this.”
Imran Khan again went back on raising the Kashmir bogey and blamed the whole situation on the Kashmir crisis.
Khan said, “The whole issue is because of Kashmir. No Kashmiri leader is supporting Indian leaders and their stand. They only demand azaadi at all times. India should introspect as to what was the reason behind a 19-year-old Kashmiri youth [Adil Ahmed Dar] to pick up weapons and do this [Pulwama attack].”
“Pakistan wants peace,” Imran Khan said, as he announced that captured IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan will be released tomorrow (Friday).