Pakistani Senator Palwasha Khan’s Provocative Statement on Babri Masjid Escalates India-Pakistan Tensions
Intro: A New Flashpoint in an Already Tense Standoff
Amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, Pakistani Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has sparked fresh controversy. In a fiery speech in Pakistan’s Senate, she claimed that the Pakistani Army would lay the first brick for the reconstruction of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, with Army Chief General Asim Munir giving the first azaan, further inflaming India-Pakistan relations.
By New Delhi Post Desk, New Delhi:
The statement comes at a time when India-Pakistan relations are at a breaking point after the Pahalgam attack, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed militants from The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. India has already taken stringent measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, closing the Attari border, and cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals. In response, Pakistan has been issuing provocative statements, with Palwasha Khan’s remarks on April 30, 2025, adding fuel to the fire. Her comments not only target India’s internal sovereignty but also touch on the deeply sensitive issue of Ayodhya, where the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, leading to the construction of the Ram Mandir, inaugurated in January 2024.
Palwasha Khan’s Inflammatory Claims
Palwasha Khan, a PPP Senator from Punjab and a close associate of party leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, declared, “The time is not far when a common soldier from Pindi will lay the first brick in the foundation of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, and the first azaan will be given by Pakistan’s commander, Asim Munir.” She added defiantly, “We haven’t worn bangles. We will respond when the time comes.” Khan further claimed that India’s Sikh soldiers would refuse to fight Pakistan due to their reverence for Guru Nanak’s land, stating, “This is a sacred land for them; Guru Nanak’s footsteps are on every inch of this soil.” Her speech also praised Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, whom she called a “courageous voice,” despite his designation as a terrorist under India’s UAPA for threatening national integrity.
Endorsement of Extremism and Threats
Khan’s rhetoric extended beyond religious symbolism. She boasted of Pakistan’s military and civilian strength, saying, “Our army isn’t just six or seven lakh strong—there are 25 crore people here who will become soldiers when the time comes.” Echoing Bilawal Bhutto’s earlier threat that “if water doesn’t flow in our rivers, blood will,” she warned, “Those who threaten to lay our bodies down should know we are ready.” Her endorsement of Pannu, a known separatist advocating for Khalistan, has raised alarms about Pakistan’s continued support for anti-India elements, further complicating the already volatile situation.
A Pattern of Provocation Amid National Frustration
Palwasha Khan’s statement aligns with a series of inflammatory remarks from Pakistani leaders following the Pahalgam attack. Bilawal Bhutto had previously threatened that “either water will flow in the Indus, or their blood,” in response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Security experts view Khan’s speech as a deliberate attempt to stoke religious tensions and rally domestic support by exploiting India’s sensitive issues. However, her comments also reflect Pakistan’s broader frustration and fear of India’s potential retaliation, as evidenced by their defensive measures, such as deploying radar systems near the LoC and claiming an imminent Indian strike within 24-36 hours, as stated by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on April 30.
