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Following recent statements by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto has issued fresh warnings to India, this time over the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. Bhutto claimed that if India continues down this path, Pakistan would be left with “no choice” but to consider all available options, including war.
His remarks came during a public event in Sindh and referenced India’s recent policy moves after the Pahalgam terror attack, including Operation Sindoor and the government’s reassessment of the Indus Water Treaty.
“India’s actions have caused serious damage to Pakistan,” Bhutto said. “If this continues, we may have no option left but to defend our interests through any means necessary.”
Bhutto also accused India of abandoning dialogue in favour of confrontation and called for Pakistanis to unite politically across provinces.
Repeated Threats from Pakistan’s Leadership
Bhutto’s statement comes shortly after General Munir’s remarks made during a visit to the United States, where he warned of the possibility of nuclear conflict. Munir claimed that any move by India to block Pakistan’s access to the Indus waters could lead to military retaliation.
“We have no shortage of missiles. We’ll wait for them to build dams, and we’ll target them,” he reportedly said.
These developments suggest a continued hardening of rhetoric from both political and military leadership in Pakistan. What began as a reaction to specific Indian counterterror operations has now shifted toward broader threats tied to water security and regional policy.
Expert View: Strategic Signalling or Institutional Drift?
Lt Col Manoj Channan, an Indian Army veteran, observes that such statements are not isolated; they reflect deeper dynamics within Pakistan’s power structure.
“This kind of rhetoric fits a familiar pattern. When Pakistan’s leadership feels strategically cornered, it fall back on nuclear posturing. It’s both a distraction from internal challenges and a signal to external audiences,” he said.
Channan points to what analysts often call the “mullah in uniform” phenomenon, a reference to the growing alignment between religious hardliners and elements within Pakistan’s military. While the phrase is provocative, he explains that it reflects a shift in how decisions are being made, particularly with respect to nuclear policy.
“It’s not just about bluster. These remarks indicate a possible shift in institutional thinking, which is a concern from a non-proliferation perspective,” he added.
India’s Position: Strategic Restraint, Firm Messaging
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded to Munir’s comments with a strong but measured statement. It described the remarks as irresponsible and reaffirmed India’s commitment to maintaining strategic stability in the region.
The ministry also questioned the credibility of Pakistan’s nuclear command structure, particularly in light of repeated incidents linking elements of the Pakistani military to extremist groups.
“The international community can judge for itself the nature of such statements and what they reveal about nuclear safety in Pakistan,” the ministry said.
Global Implications
Experts underlined the importance of international attention, especially given that these threats were issued from U.S. soil.
“The fact that General Munir made these comments while in Florida is not a side note. It matters. The U.S. can’t afford to ignore this kind of escalation, especially when it happens in its backyard,” stated a former diplomat.
He also called for renewed focus on nuclear accountability and global standards, suggesting that Pakistan’s behaviour should be evaluated under the same lens as North Korea or Iran when it comes to nuclear rhetoric.
Huma Siddiqui
