New Delhi: After Iran’s drone attack in Balochistan, angry Pakistanis clamoured for the resignation of their army chief, General Asim Munir, calling it a glaring “intelligence failure”. They want the army chief’s post to go to someone “who can respond” and not someone who is just interested in attacking Imran Khan’s PTI.
“No, we want Asim Munir and Nademem Anjum to resign. Massive intelligence failure. They only have the balls to attack a political party, not an external threat, the role should go to someone who can respond,” said an enraged Pakistani on X.
No we want Asim Munir and Nademem Anjum to resign. Massive intelligence failure. They only have the balls to attack a political party not an external threat, the role should go to someone who can respond
— Zayan (@afzal_zayan) January 17, 2024
People are also asking the Pakistan army and Prime Ministerial candidate Nawaz Sharif for accountability.
“To #ISPR and General Syed Asim Munir, it’s time to take a decision, it’s time to show #Iran that Pakistan Army has the capability to retaliate. Children died. Airspace violated. Don’t just condemn, take action. We have a powerful army, it’s time to prove it! We are angry!!!,” wrote X user Rj Anas Shahzad Maken.
To #ISPR and General Syed Asim Munir, it’s time to take a decision, it’s time to show #Iran that Pakistan Army has the capability to retaliate. Children died. Airspace violated. Don’t just condemn, take action. We have a powerful army, it’s time to prove it! We are angry!!! 🇵🇰
— Rj Anas Shahzad Maken (@AnsShahzad10) January 17, 2024
Nawaz Sharif also took to X to condemn the Iranian attack and express his condolences to the affected families.
I am shocked at the Iranian breach of Pakistani sovereignty. This missile attack is against spirit of our friendship and principles of good neighbourliness, especially as it undermines the historic relationship between our two countries. Sincere dialogue and meaningful…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 17, 2024
However, not all were convinced. Responding to Sharif’s post, a user wrote, “Shame on you! You are a PM candidate and you want to dialogue over the dead bodies of your children? First respond and then dialogue !”
Many also targeted Sharif and Munir, questioning why Pakistan’s ‘robust’ intelligence and ‘excellent’ air defence systems couldn’t stop the attack.
Some Pakistanis also shared an old funny dance video of some army officers, questioning its ability to fight Iran.
‘Iran must apologise’
Military experts and journalists have reacted to the development too.
Brigadier Ahmed Syed Minaaz condemned the attack on Geo News, saying that Iran “should apologise” for its sudden attack. He also warned that Pakistan wouldn’t cease to retaliate if such attacks continued, as such incursions go against the Pakistan-Iran Security Agreement.
While Pakistani nationals are calling for a counterattack, Pakistani journalists like Waqas Ahmed don’t quite support the idea.
The journalist, who has worked with Daily Pakistan and Aaj TV, took to X to assert that war was “not a solution” to such problems, adding that there was no spot in Iran that Pakistan could attack. A diplomatic dialogue is the only solution, he added.
Journalist Umer Inam also called upon forces and citizens to unite in their fight against Iran.