Former Pakistani PM Kakar warns of retaliation if India strikes Pakistan
Former Pakistani PM Kakar warned that any Indian military strike would be met with a proportional response, including targeting Indian cities.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has issued a stark warning about escalating tensions with India, claiming Islamabad has intelligence suggesting New Delhi may be planning attacks on Pakistani cities. Kakar stated that any military aggression from India would be met with a proportional response by Pakistan, potentially targeting Indian cities.
The warning follows a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. Speaking to Afghanistan International on Monday, Kakar emphasized that Pakistan would not hesitate to respond if its urban centers were struck. “If India attacks a specific area, we will target the same. If they hit our cities, we will respond in kind,” he stated.
Kakar asserted that Pakistan is fully prepared—both conventionally and unconventionally—to respond to any Indian aggression. He denied any fear of escalation and called for national unity in defending Pakistan’s sovereignty. This statement comes amid mounting international concern over the rising hostility between two nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of armed conflict.
In the same interview, Kakar dismissed recent comments by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who admitted to Pakistan’s historical support for militant groups during the Cold War. Asif had told Sky News that Pakistan carried out the West’s “dirty work” by backing Afghan Mujahideen against Soviet forces, leading to long-term regional instability. Kakar rebuffed the notion of wrongdoing, instead accusing the West of abandoning Pakistan post-Cold War.
These statements have reignited debate about Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with militant groups in the region. Asif’s rare public admission sparked speculation about a potential policy shift toward extremist groups, especially in Afghanistan. Kakar, however, denied that Pakistan supported the Taliban’s rise, claiming the group emerged from Afghanistan’s own internal conflicts among Mujahideen factions.
Kakar also commented on India’s recent diplomatic outreach in Kabul, stating that Afghanistan, as a sovereign state, has the right to choose its diplomatic partners. However, he warned that any relationship between Delhi and the Taliban should not be weaponized against Pakistan. Islamabad has previously accused Indian consulates in Afghanistan of fomenting instability and called for the closure of Indian missions in cities like Jalalabad, Kandahar, and Herat.
Kakar’s remarks reflect deepening mistrust between India and Pakistan, fueled by cross-border militancy and shifting alliances in Afghanistan. The timing of these statements underscores how regional geopolitics remains volatile, especially in the aftermath of high-profile attacks and political statements.
The evolving situation calls for careful diplomatic engagement by regional and international actors to de-escalate tensions. As two nuclear powers with decades of unresolved disputes, India and Pakistan must exercise restraint to avoid another military confrontation with far-reaching consequences.
The post Former Pakistani PM Kakar warns of retaliation if India strikes Pakistan appeared first on Khaama Press.