India: Democracy and Pakistan don’t go together, says MEA
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Commenting on former Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi’s incarceration in a jail for over two years, India on Tuesday said Pakistan and democracy don’t go together.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal delivered a strong observation on the political churn in Pakistan, asserting that “democracy and Pakistan don’t go together,” the media reported on Tuesday.
His remarks were made during the weekly press briefing after a question on the democratic situation in Pakistan, especially in relation to former PM Imran Khan and continuing demonstrations by his political outfit, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in recent days.
Jaiswal, while replying to a query on diminishing democratic institutions in Pakistan, noted that India was following events closely but would not go into details.
“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 about it the better,” he said.
Replying to another question concerning recent exchanges of fire along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Jaiswal voiced concern about 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 comments come as political unrest in Pakistan continues to intensify.
Cross-border firing late on Friday last reportedly resulted in several deaths on both sides, further adding to tensions after truce talks between Islamabad and Kabul broke down last week.
At the same time, friction between Pakistan’s different power centres has also escalated.
The “Field Marshal” Syed Asim Munir-led military has sharply criticised Imran Khan, heightening the already tense political climate.
Khan, 73, has been incarcerated since mid-2023 following a corruption conviction and is facing a series of legal proceedings.
His party, (PTI), has repeatedly called for consistent access to Khan for family members, doctors, lawyers, and loyalists amid rumours regarding his well-being and unverified claims about his condition.
Recently, officials at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail granted Khan’s sister, Uzma Khanum, permission to see him.
Supporters accompanying her staged demonstrations outside the Islamabad High Court and the prison, calling for fewer curbs on meeting the jailed leader.
