“Democracy And Pakistan Don't Go Together,” India Says

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday sharply criticised Pakistan's political situation, asserting that“democracy and Pakistan don't go together.” Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during the weekly briefing in response to questions about former Prime Minister Imran Khan's incarceration and ongoing nationwide demonstrations.

Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring developments in Pakistan but avoided detailed commentary.“We keep a close eye on every development in Pakistan. But regarding democracy, the less we talk, the better,” he stated, reflecting India's scepticism over Pakistan's democratic institutions.

The spokesperson also voiced concern over rising violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He condemned attacks on Afghanistan civilians and reiterated that India“strongly supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Afghanistan.” Recent cross-border firing has reportedly resulted in casualties on both sides, further heightening regional tensions.

The political crisis in Pakistan is deepening. Military authorities have recently issued sharp criticism of Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023 following a corruption conviction and faces multiple ongoing legal proceedings. Khan's supporters have staged demonstrations outside Adiala Jail and the Islamabad High Court, calling for easier access to the jailed leader and greater transparency regarding his condition.

In a related development, Pakistan's newly appointed army chief, General Asim Munir, issued a stark warning to Kabul, urging the Taliban-led administration to choose between maintaining relations with Islamabad or continuing support for the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). Munir emphasized that Islamabad will not tolerate cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan soil, raising concerns about further destabilisation in the region.

Analysts say India's comments, combined with Munir's warning, underscore the fragility of regional security. Tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and political instability in Pakistan could exacerbate humanitarian and security challenges, particularly amid ongoing Taliban-TTP dynamics.

Observers warn that without coordinated dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul, the convergence of political unrest, border clashes, and Taliban-TTP influence could escalate into a wider crisis affecting both civilian populations and regional stability.

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