Mukesh Ambani, Missiles & Mercedes: Pakistan army chief Asim Munir’s bizarre US remarks spark debate and laughter

Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, made a series of striking and unusual remarks during a closed-door dinner with members of the Pakistani diaspora in Tampa, Florida. As per a report by ThePrint, he even dragged Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani into the mix, suggesting Pakistan could target Indian economy next time. Here’s a look at the his recent bizarre statements that have sparked debates and laughter.

‘Phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey’

Munir warned that Pakistan would destroy Indian infrastructure if New Delhi went ahead with building a dam on the Indus River while the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended.

“We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey [we will destroy it with 10 missiles].”

‘Humein missilon ki kami nahin hai’

Continuing on the water dispute, Munir emphasised Pakistan’s missile capability.

“The Indus river is not the Indians’ family property. Humein missilon ki kami nahin hai, al-Hamdulillah [we have no shortage of missiles, Praise be to God].”

The Mercedes versus dump truck analogy

Munir also used a highway metaphor to describe a potential conflict between the two countries. “India is shining Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?” In an unusual comparison, Munir likened India to a luxury sports car and Pakistan to a heavy-duty truck.

“India is shining Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?”

The comparison was aimed at underlining Pakistan’s ability to cause severe damage despite India’s larger economy and advanced infrastructure.

India should accept losses

Referring to the recent Four-Day war, Munir criticised India for not releasing casualty figures. “The Indians should accept their losses. Sportsman spirit is a virtue,” he said. He claimed to have offered a public release of Pakistan’s losses if India would do the same.

Munir also spoke of a social media post he authorised during the conflict, which included a verse from Surah Fil and a photo of Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani “to show them what we will do the next time.”

The Mukesh Ambani tweet

Referring to the recent Four-Day war, Munir spoke about a social media post aimed at India’s business elite.

“Ek tweet karwaya tha with Surah Fil and a picture of [industrialist] Mukesh Ambani to show them what we will do the next time.”

‘Maa maa hoti hai’

Using a phrase echoing Hindi film dialogue, Munir called for greater support from the Pakistani diaspora.

“Kisi ki maa kaali ho sakti hai, aur kisi ki dharti-maa kaali ho sakti hai, par maa maa hoti hai [someone’s mother might be dark-skinned, and the earth of someone’s motherland might be dark, but a mother is a mother].”

He claimed Pakistan, as one of only two states founded on the basis of the Kalimah, would be blessed by God with energy and natural resources, including rare earth metals and hydrocarbons.