In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated significantly. While India has begun to take a firm stance, developments in Pakistan suggest growing internal uncertainty and fear of potential retaliation. A photograph from a nearly empty Pakistani Parliament session has sparked widespread discussion, raising questions about the country’s preparedness and political will to confront India.
A special session of Pakistan’s National Assembly was convened on Monday evening to discuss the national response to India’s possible military action following the Pahalgam incident. However, the session saw very low attendance, with most seats in the chamber remaining vacant. Despite Pakistani leaders making strong anti-India statements in public and on international platforms, very few MPs were present when it came time for an official discussion.
Political analysts suggest this visible absence may reflect reluctance among lawmakers to escalate rhetoric against India or address the military and strategic realities of the situation.
In a surprising and controversial statement, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, a Member of Parliament from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, admitted on record,
“If India attacks, we won’t fight — we’ll flee to England.”
His remarks have drawn sharp criticism and also highlighted the deep insecurity within Pakistan’s political class.
Sources indicate that Pakistani military officials have moved their families abroad, anticipating the situation could deteriorate rapidly in the event of war. According to insiders, Pakistan’s armed forces lack the capacity for prolonged warfare, and senior officers are aware that a full-scale conflict with India could cause chaos within just a few days.
In another explosive development, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, during a recent interview, admitted that Pakistan has supported terrorist groups. He went on to claim that this support was allegedly under the influence or instruction of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Experts interpret this admission as a diplomatic maneuver—an attempt to pressure Western powers to intervene and prevent India from launching retaliatory military action.
Pakistan’s economic crisis and dwindling military resources have further aggravated the situation. With limited foreign reserves and defense inventory, Pakistan reportedly lacks the means to purchase new weapons or sustain a prolonged military campaign.
Military insiders suggest that if war breaks out, Pakistan might be forced to surrender within 96 hours, highlighting a grim scenario of vulnerability and strategic disadvantage.