News Desk
NEW DELHI — Asaduddin Owaisi, a prominent Indian politician and leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad Muslimeen, unleashed a scathing critique of Pakistan on Sunday, branding it the “successor of ISIS” and dismissing its nuclear threats as hollow posturing. His remarks, delivered at a public rally in Parbhani, Maharashtra, come amid a spiraling diplomatic crisis between the nuclear-armed neighbors, triggered by a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack on April 22, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in the scenic Pahalgam region, was attributed to The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-based offshoot of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. India responded with a series of measures, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old agreement governing shared river resources. Pakistan’s information minister, Hanif Abbasi, retaliated with a veiled threat of nuclear action, escalating tensions to a fever pitch.
“Pakistan is the successor of ISIS,” Mr. Owaisi declared, his voice ringing out over a crowd of supporters. “They think they can scare us with talk of nuclear bombs. Their entire budget doesn’t match India’s military spending.” He accused Pakistan of targeting civilians based on religion, likening such acts to the brutal tactics of the Islamic State. “Killing people for their faith is what ISIS did, and Pakistan follows the same path,” he said.
Mr. Owaisi’s remarks reflect a rare moment of unity across India’s fractious political spectrum, with leaders from various parties rallying behind the government’s stance. The suspension of the Indus treaty, which allocates water from six rivers between the two nations, has been framed as a response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism. Mr. Owaisi endorsed the move but called for clarity on how India would store the redirected water, a nod to the logistical challenges ahead.
India’s decision has raised alarms about the potential for further conflict in a region already scarred by decades of violence. The treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has survived three wars and countless skirmishes, making its suspension a significant escalation. Pakistan, heavily dependent on the Indus and its tributaries, has warned of severe economic consequences and vowed to seek international arbitration.
In his speech, Mr. Owaisi also sought to counter domestic narratives that risk alienating Kashmiris. “Stop the false propaganda against our Kashmiri brothers,” he urged, emphasizing their integral role in India’s fabric. His comments appeared aimed at balancing his strong anti-Pakistan rhetoric with a call for national cohesion.
For now, the war of words shows no sign of abating. Mr. Owaisi, known for his fiery oratory, framed Pakistan as a nation “half a century behind” India in military and economic might. “They can’t compete with us,” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
