India has decisively responded to a terrorist attack with Operation Sindoor, targeting 9 terrorist sites in Pakistan and POK. Following the airstrike, Pakistan, which had been issuing threats for over 15 days, now appears subdued. This admission comes directly from Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who stated in an interview that they won't retaliate. We'll explore five significant reasons behind Pakistan's tempered response.
PAC Defense Minister Asif: 'We Will Do Nothing...'
Up until this point, Pakistan had been issuing threats to India, even suggesting nuclear action. However, their tone shifted after India's airstrike. The statements from Pakistani ministers are surprising and indicative of their state. Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif suggested that unless India escalates, they won't take further action.
Source: aajtak
Reason One: Unequal Military Strength
While Pakistan may boast about its military might, it significantly lags behind India. Following the Pahalgam attack, a report by Sweden's Stockholm International Peace Research Institute revealed that India's military expenditure in 2024 was approximately nine times that of Pakistan's. Historically, Pakistan has faced defeat in its conflicts with India.
India ranks fifth globally in defense spending, significantly higher than Pakistan. In 2024, India invested $86.1 billion in defense, while Pakistan's expenditure was a mere $10.2 billion.
Source: aajtak
Reason Two: Economic Disparity
Economically, Pakistan cannot compete with India. According to World Economics, Pakistan's GDP is $350 billion with significant external debt, while India's GDP nears $4 trillion, making any comparison moot. High inflation rates plague Pakistan, preventing citizens from affording basic necessities.
Reason Three: Silent Allies and China's Calculations
Following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan reached out to allies and international bodies like the IMF for aid, but to no avail. Pakistan's Finance Minister revealed requests to China to increase swap lines, yet China remains unresponsive, a significant setback for Pakistan.
Source: aajtak
Reason Four: Troubled Stock Market
Pakistan's weakened economy reflects in its plummeting stock market. Following the Pahalgam attack, investor sell-offs have led to a dramatic fall of over 11,000 points, and Wednesday saw an even larger crash of over 6,000 points.
Reason Five: Fear of Suspended Aid from IMF and World Bank
Amidst China's silence, Pakistan fears potential conflict could lead to suspended aid from global institutions like the IMF and the World Bank. This is crucial, especially as an IMF meeting on May 9 will determine a $1.3 billion aid package for Pakistan.
