Pakistani Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan has sparked controversy with her recent comments in the Senate, stating that Pakistani soldiers would lay the first brick of a new Babri mosque in Ayodhya, India. She further claimed that Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asif Munir, would address the inaugural azaan at the site. These statements come amid ongoing heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians lost their lives.
Pakistan Senator speech ignites backlash
In her address on April 29, Khan stated, ”The first brick of the new Babri mosque in Ayodhya will be laid by Pakistan Army soldiers, and the first azaan will be given by Army Chief Asim Munir himself.” She highlighted Pakistan’s strength, claiming, ”We are not wearing bangles.” Khan also referred to the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, stating, ”We have guns, we have arms , we have trees and if the enemy attempt anything, we will hang their corpses from our trees.”
Khan’s speech also had a warning to India, ”If any hand reached toward us, then the symbol of their power, the Red Fort of Delhi, will witness a bloodshed that its wall have never seen, and its wall will testify to it for centuries to come.” She also asserted that Sikh soldiers in the Indian Army will not attack Pakistan, pointing to the country’s religious importance to Sikhs. Moreover, she also applauded Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a designated terrorist under India law for his anti-Indian bearing.
Despite the aggressive comments, Khan said, ”We have no enmity with the people of India,” trying to distinguish between the Indian government and its citizens. She concluded his speech by affirming that Pakistan’s population of 250 million would be ready to support the military if needed.
Background of Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan
Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan is associated with the Pakistan People Party (PPP) and has been representing Sindh as a Senator since March 2021. She has earlier served in the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013 and is designated as the Deputy Information Secretary within the PPP.
Her statement has drawn sharp criticism.