'India will win the war': Pakistan irks former CIA officer, receives online threats

News Topical, Digital Desk : Former CIA officer and whistleblower John Kiriakou has made a serious claim that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI) , tried to force an apology from him during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

Speaking to ANI in October, Kiriakou said that if a conventional war breaks out between India and Pakistan, Pakistan would lose. He added that war would benefit no one. Following this statement, he received online abuse from Pakistanis and multiple death threats.

What did Kiriaku say ?

Kiriakou said he simply stated that India's population is five times larger than Pakistan's, so Pakistan would suffer losses in a conventional war. He added that he has lost count of the number of threats he has received so far.

Following his statement, the PTI sent him a letter strongly condemning him and demanding an immediate apology from Imran Khan, his party, and the people of Pakistan. Kiriakoo said the letter came from the PTI chairman. Former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has been leading the party since March 2023.

Kiriaku's sarcastic letter

He said his lawyer had advised him to exercise security caution and maintain a low profile. However, Kiriakou responded with a letter using highly sarcastic language. However, PTI did not respond to his letter.

Kiriaku has been embroiled in controversy before

In 2007, John Kiriakou exposed the CIA 's torture program. He subsequently served 23 months in prison. However, the charges were later dropped. He said he has no regrets about his decision.

John Kiriakou served in the CIA for nearly 15 years and was part of several key counterterrorism operations after  9/11 . He also led the operation that captured high-ranking al-Qaeda member Abu Zubaydah in 2002.

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