AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday dismissed a question about his actions as a hypothetical Prime Minister during the Pahalgam terror attack, saying he prefers to focus on reality and his current responsibilities rather than engage in speculation.

“I’m not interested in dreaming about these things. I focus on reality and understand my limits. My goal is not just to hold the Prime Minister post or become ministers,” Owaisi told the reporter.

Speaking at a press conference in Pune, the AIMIM chief added that the government missed the chance to give a befitting response to Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack by halting military action, ignoring the national sentiment.

“As an Indian, I would like to say that there was an opportunity for us to give a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. I am wondering why they (Central government) stopped,” the Hyderabad MP said while interacting with journalists in Pune.

He said that a war-like situation existed as drones from Pakistan flew over the western borders, stretching from Gujarat to Kashmir.

Owaisi said the entire nation was ready to respond strongly to Pakistan, but the government stopped the military action. “Such opportunities do not come again, but the government lost the chance,” he said, referring to India halting operations after striking terrorist hideouts and airport targets in the neighboring country.

“Now, you sit in Parliament and talk about gaining PoK,” Owaisi added.

Officially, India maintains that Operation Sindoor, launched by the armed forces, was paused, not ended. India carried out military strikes following the killing of 26 people, mostly tourists, by terrorists near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 this year.

The AIMIM chief also criticised the Centre over India’s approach toward Pakistan during the recently concluded Asia Cup cricket tournament. He said that pluralism is the essence of India and announced that AIMIM will contest the upcoming civic elections in Maharashtra.

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