Pakistan's Army Chief Threatens Nuclear War with India from US Soil

Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir has issued a nuclear threat from US soil, stating that if Pakistan faces an existential threat in a future war with India, it will "take half the world down" with it. Munir criticized India's move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and threatened to destroy Indian infrastructure on the Indus River with missiles. He emphasized the power imbalance between the two nations, comparing India to a Mercedes and Pakistan to a dump truck.

In a highly contentious move, Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has issued a nuclear threat from US soil, stating that if Pakistan faces an existential threat in a future war with India, it will "take half the world down" with it. This bold statement, made during Munir's visit to the United States, has sparked significant international concern and diplomatic backlash.

Munir's remarks, delivered to the Pakistani diaspora in Tampa, Florida, were reconstructed by The Print from multiple attendee accounts. He threatened that Pakistan would target dams with missiles if the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended. This treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus River's waters, has been a contentious issue between the two nations. Munir's statement, "We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey [we will destroy it with 10 missiles]," has raised alarm bells about the potential escalation of tensions.

The Army Chief also emphasized the power imbalance between the two nations, likening India to a shining Mercedes and Pakistan to a dump truck full of gravel. This comparison, while unusual, underscored Pakistan's assertion of being a capable state despite India's greater economic and technological resources. Munir also criticized India's refusal to release casualty figures from a recent conflict, calling on New Delhi to "accept their losses" and adding, "Sportsman spirit is a virtue."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India has strongly condemned these remarks, labeling them as "nuclear sabre-rattling" and expressing concern about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. The MEA reaffirmed India's commitment to national security, asserting that it will not succumb to nuclear blackmail. Government sources in India have described Munir’s comments as a symptom of Pakistan’s lack of democracy and the dominant role of the military in the country’s affairs.

The international community has been urged to draw its own conclusions about the "irresponsibility inherent" in these remarks, which also amplify longstanding concerns about the integrity of Pakistan’s nuclear command and control. The remarks have added to existing anxieties about the stability and control of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal amid the country’s complex political and security landscape.

Munir's visit to the US coincides with General Michael Kurilla's retirement ceremony, where he was praised as a "phenomenal partner" to the US in countering terrorism. The General was also conferred Pakistan's highest civilian honour, further highlighting the strategic importance of Pakistan's military in US eyes.

This incident underscores the delicate balance of nuclear deterrence in the region and the potential for escalation in tensions. As the world watches, the international community will be closely monitoring the situation, hoping to prevent further escalation and maintain regional stability.

References:
1. [NUMBER:1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/nuclear-sabre-rattling-is-pakistans-stock-in-trade-india-slams-asim-munirs-threat-calls-pak-irresponsible-nuke-state/articleshow/123233355.cms
2. [NUMBER:2] https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/asim-munir-spews-venom-again-says-pakistan-will-wait-for-india-to-build-dam-on-indus-phir-10-missile-sey-gira-denge/articleshow/123228317.cms