Hyderabad: Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha over India’s defence preparedness and wanted to know why only 29 fighter squadrons are operational despite a sanctioned strength of 42.“We have only 29 squadrons, Pakistan has 25 and China over 50 of them. You (BJP) have been in power for 11 years. Will India obtain the source code on weapons during its future acquisitions?” Owaisi asked during a discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lower House late on Monday.He also questioned India’s approach towards Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. “The Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together. If terrorism and talks cannot happen together, how will the govt justify playing cricket with Pakistan? My conscience will not allow me to watch that match. Do you have the conscience and courage to tell the families of Pahalgam victims to watch the match as India avenged the terror attack?” he added.The Hyderabad MP demanded that the govt fix accountability. “Who is accountable? Is it police or intelligence bureau? Take action. You cannot keep quiet after conducting Operation Sindoor and expect people to forget,” he said.Taking a dig at the govt’s deterrence policy, Owaisi said, “Surgical strikes were conducted, then you did Balakot and yet Pahalgam happened. This means your deterrence failed. The govt should separate foreign policy and national security from politics. If we are truly Vishwaguru, then get Pakistan back on the FATF grey list with support from the GCC, the G7, and Uncle Sam,” he demanded.
