In recent weeks, tensions have flared following remarks made by a former CIA officer regarding Pakistan's military capabilities in comparison to India's. John Kiriakou, who previously headed the CIA's counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, stated in an interview with ANI that Pakistan would lose any conventional war against India. His assessment, "Nothing, literally nothing good will come of an actual war between India and Pakistan because the Pakistanis will lose. It's as simple as that," has triggered strong reactions.

Kiriakou, who spent 15 years with the CIA, including a period leading counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan, urged Pakistan to "stop provoking Indians," asserting that such actions would only result in their loss. He clarified that his assessment excluded nuclear weapons, focusing solely on a conventional conflict.

The remarks ignited a firestorm of responses, particularly on social media, with many Pakistani commentators and citizens expressing outrage and disbelief. While specific details of the online backlash remain unconfirmed, the general sentiment conveyed a strong sense of national pride and defiance against what was perceived as a belittling statement.

Adding fuel to the fire, Kiriakou also made claims about the control of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. He stated that during his time in Pakistan in 2002, he was told "unofficially" that the Pentagon controlled the Pakistani nuclear arsenal, alleging that then-President Pervez Musharraf had ceded control to the United States. However, he acknowledged that Pakistani officials have vehemently denied this claim in the years since.

These claims regarding Pakistan's nuclear capabilities have further exacerbated the situation, prompting strong rebuttals from Pakistani figures. While specific responses from Pakistani officials to Kiriakou's comments remain unverified, the prevailing sentiment emphasizes Pakistan's sovereign control over its nuclear assets.

Amidst the heated exchange, Kiriakou also revealed that the U.S. State Department had communicated to both India and Pakistan the importance of maintaining any conflict as "short and keep it non-nuclear". He said, "If nuclear weapons are introduced, the whole world is going to change. And so I think there was restraint on both sides".

Adding another layer to the complex relationship between the countries, a separate revelation surfaced regarding a previously discussed joint plan between India and Israel to strike Pakistan's Kahuta nuclear facility in the early 1980s. Richard Barlow, another former CIA officer, disclosed that the plan was ultimately not approved by then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a decision he called "a shame". According to Barlow, the covert operation aimed to halt Pakistan's nuclear weapons program before it posed a significant threat.

These revelations come against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with India's Ministry of External Affairs recently criticizing Pakistan's "clandestine and illegal nuclear activities".