Noreen Niazi links India-Pakistan clash to Pakistan-Israel recognition claim

Lahore,UPDATED: Jul 18, 2026 22:36 IST

Imran Khan's sister Noreen Niazi has claimed that India did not escalate the four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May 2025 because Islamabad was moving towards recognising Israel. In an interview on a social media platform that was widely circulated on Saturday, she also alleged that the conflict was linked to efforts to improve the image of Pakistan's military leadership.

Niazi sought to play down Pakistan's military response during the clashes that followed the Pahalgam terror attack. She alleged that the operation "was the result of collusion between Pakistan's military leadership and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi" and said India "refrained from escalating the conflict at Israel's behest because Pakistan was going to recognise Israel". She did not offer any evidence for the claims.

She also said the confrontation was "orchestrated to bolster the image of the armed forces of Pakistan under Gen Asim Munir". Munir, who was the Chief of Army Staff when the conflict took place, was later elevated from General to Field Marshal. Niazi further claimed that the conflict was aimed at facilitating Pakistan's entry into the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered 2020 agreements under which Israel established diplomatic, economic and security ties with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

In the interview, Niazi said, "What do you think? ... India, which is a big country, was not in position to respond to Pakistan when it attacked on May 10? It could have but India deliberately refrained from giving a strong response because of some understanding." She also claimed, without offering any evidence, that contacts between Pakistan and Israel already existed, and linked US President Donald Trump's praise for Pakistan's military leadership to what she described as efforts to normalise relations with Israel.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, in which 26 civilians were killed. The strikes led to four days of intense clashes between the two neighbours before an understanding to stop military action was reached on May 10. Islamabad named the conflict 'Marka-e-Haq'.

Niazi's remarks drew a sharp response from Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Bokhari said, "Noreen Niazi's statement reflects the mindset of her brother Imran Khan. Khan's family has consistently appeared uncomfortable with Pakistan's achievements and that remarks made against the national interest are deeply regrettable." She added that the "entire world acknowledged" Pakistan's success in Maarka-e-Haq, and said Niazi's remarks in support of PM Modi were not only "shameful" but also "highly condemnable". Bokhari also said that Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and his three sisters, through their conduct, give the impression that they either consider themselves infallible or remain detached from reality.

The interview has put the focus on Niazi's allegations about the May 2025 conflict, Pakistan's military leadership and possible ties with Israel, while also triggering a political response from the ruling side in Punjab.

With PTI Inputs

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