English
English
English
India’s MEA delivers a sharp verdict on Pakistan: ‘Democracy and Pakistan don’t go together.’ With Imran Khan jailed and protests raging, what’s really happening across the border? Here’s the latest on the political turmoil.
India slams Pakistan on weakening democracy
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday made a sharp remark on the political situation in Pakistan, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying, “Democracy and Pakistan don’t go together.”
The comment came during the MEA’s weekly media briefing when asked about the weakening state of democracy in the neighbouring country, particularly in the context of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ongoing protests.
Responding to questions about Pakistan’s democratic structures, Jaiswal said India continues to monitor developments closely but refrained from further comment.
“We keep a close eye on every development in Pakistan. But regarding democracy, you’re saying that ‘democracy in Pakistan is becoming weak and its strengths are being weakened’. Democracy and Pakistan don’t go together. The less we talk the better,” he said.
Jaiswal also addressed recent clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, expressing concern over civilian casualties. “We have seen reports of border clashes in which several Afghan civilians have been killed. We condemn such attacks on innocent Afghan people. India strongly supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan,” he added.
The border incidents late Friday left at least five people dead and escalated tensions following the collapse of recent peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Jaiswal’s comments come amid rising political tensions in Pakistan. Earlier this week, the Pakistan Army launched a rare and direct attack on Imran Khan, with military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry calling the jailed former prime minister “mentally ill” and a “narcissist.”
Imran Khan supporters protest in Rawalpindi, Islamabad amid ban on gatherings
The statement came after Khan referred to Army chief Gen. Asim Munir as a “mentally unstable person” responsible for the “complete collapse of the Constitution and rule of law in Pakistan.”
Imran Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since 2023 following a corruption conviction and faces multiple ongoing cases. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been demanding regular access to Khan for family members and supporters amid persistent rumours about his health. Last week, Khan’s sister, Uzma Khanum, was allowed to visit him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, while PTI supporters protested outside the Islamabad High Court and the jail.
While Jaiswal’s remarks were pointed, India maintains a stance of careful monitoring of Pakistan’s internal developments, highlighting concern over democratic weakening and regional stability.
