'Didn't say war would erupt in 3 days': How Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif walked back from his earlier stance
A day after he remarked that an Indian military incursion was imminent, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has now backtracked from his initial statement, stating he never predicted a war.
Asif, who recently publicly admitted that Pakistan funded and trained terrorists, said Pakistan has reinforced its forces and strategic decisions have been taken. He added that Pakistan's military had briefed the government on the possibility of an Indian attack.
He later told a local news channel that a war was looming and Pakistan should be mentally prepared. "The possibility is there, a very vivid possibility that we can have war in the next day or two or three or four," he said.
However, hours after his initial statement, Asif walked back on his initial statement. Clarifying that he had not predicted the outbreak of war, Asif said the threat of conflict still existed. "I was asked about the possibility of war... I said the next three to four days are important, but I did not say that war would erupt within three days," he told Karachi-based Geo News.
He added that his statement should not be "misconstrued as a categorical prediction" and he had asked the news channel to make the necessary corrections as well. "I never said anything about its inevitability," he said.
He reiterated that though he did not anticipate immediate hostilities, the situation remains tense. "There is a threat, and if any such situation arises, we are fully prepared. If war is imposed on us, we will give a befitting response," the minister warned.
Asif's statement comes as regional analysts say the Pahalgam incident will ensure a war-like situation persists between the countries for the foreseeable future. Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, told DW that diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan will remain frozen and a war-like situation will likely persist for the foreseeable future.
He believes that New Delhi would continue to put pressure on Pakistan by using its international influence. "India will try to isolate Pakistan. The unilateral exit from the Indus Waters Treaty is a big threat to the country," he said.
India could use of suspension of trade and visas and isolating Islamabad internationally as tools against Pakistan. "These measures serve Indian interests more because the options for Pakistan remain limited; it is a country that is already hungry for international foreign investment," Gul added.
The economic situation in the country, including soaring inflation, will affect ordinary citizens. Besides, Pakistan also faces massive security challenges from extremist groups in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. A conflict with India over Kashmir has the potential to further destabilize the country.
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