In case of war, India will suffer more, says Shah

Leader of opposition asks New Delhi to stop meddling in Pakistan’s internal affairs

SUKKUR: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah has warned India against interference in Pakistan’s internal matters, insisting that in the event of a war New Delhi is likely to sustain more losses.

“War is unlikely to favour either of the two countries and in case it does break out India will sustain more losses. Besides it will be the starting point of the Third World War.”,” Shah said in reference to the growing war hysteria in India following last week’s attack on an Indian military base in held Kashmir.



“[Moreover] even 10 Modis cannot scare Pakistan away,” he added.

Shah, who was talking to media at his residence in Sukkur, urged the world community to stop India from interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs, pleading that his country’s forces are adequately combating the challenge of terrorism.



He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have taken all the political forces into confidence before leaving for the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) ongoing session. “However, despite differences among political parties, we stand united for the interest of the country,” he added.

Shah said Nawaz Sharif should have presented Kashmir issue more forcefully. “However, the PM has presented Kashmir issue before the world community and now they should take its notice,” he said.



To a question about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned accountability campaign and march to Raiwind, Shah said it was the PTI’s internal matter and as such he did not want to comment on it.

Claiming that the mental and physical health of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain was not sound, he said the party’s leaders in Pakistan had pledged allegiance to the country and that “we should trust them.”

“As far as the Panama Papers is concerned, it is a reality, and no one can deny it,” he said with reference to the legal documents of a Panama firm that revealed in April that Prime Minister Nawaz’s three children had stashed away money in offshore companies.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2016.