Imran Khan accuses BJP of whipping up war hysteria

Pakistan Prime Minister says F-16 claim is false.

A picture taken October 23, 2018 shows Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (R) waiting to take part in a discussion with a presenter during the opening ceremony of the Future Investment Initiative FII conference taking place in Riyadh from 23-25 October. - Saudi Arabia is hosting a key investment summit overshadowed by the killing of critic Jamal Khashoggi that has prompted a wave of policymakers and corporate giants to withdraw. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday accused the BJP of “whipping up war hysteria”, saying its false claim of downing a Pakistani F-16 has “backfired”, days after a leading American magazine claimed that none of the US-manufactured fighter jets of the PAF were missing.

Washington-based Foreign Policy magazine reported on Thursday that American personnel recently counted the Pakistan Air Force F-16s and found none of the planes missing.

The Indian Air Force, however, stuck to its stand on Friday, saying that it had conclusive proof of shooting down a PAF F-16 on February 27.

Reacting to the Foreign Policy report, Mr. Khan took to Twitter to criticise the ruling BJP. “The truth always prevails and is always the best policy. BJP’s attempt to win elections through whipping up war hysteria and false claims of downing a Pak F-16 has backfired with US Defence officials also confirming that no F-16 was missing from Pakistan’s fleet,” he said in a tweet.