Bhubaneswar: In a rare moment of cross-border recognition, Pakistani MP Gohar Ali Khan sparked widespread attention by praising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent speech in Pakistan’s National Assembly. The remarks, delivered on June 23, have since gone viral on both sides of the border, triggering praise, criticism, and debate—particularly in the wake of recent Indo-Pak tensions.

Gohar Ali Khan Lauds Modi’s Healthcare and AI Policies

A senior member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Khan openly admired Modi’s recent announcement to add 10,000 new medical seats in India to bolster healthcare infrastructure and medical education. “Modi has said that India will add 10,000 medical seats, while here we have cut our health budget,” Khan said, drawing a stark contrast with the healthcare priorities of Pakistan’s current administration.

Khan also highlighted India’s forward-looking investment in technology, referencing the ₹500 crore allocation for artificial intelligence (AI) research announced in India’s 2025-26 budget. He described it as “a symbol of thinking ahead,” warning that Pakistan risks falling behind if it continues to overlook strategic tech investments. “India is preparing its citizens for the future; we are behind in everything,” Khan said, directly criticizing the Sharif-led government for its lack of vision.

Rare Praise Amid Strained Diplomatic Ties

Khan’s remarks are especially noteworthy given the ongoing strain in India-Pakistan relations, which worsened after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists. India’s response—Operation Sindoor—involved four days of targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

While a U.S.-mediated ceasefire took effect on May 10, tensions have remained high, with diplomatic communication largely frozen. Khan’s speech marks the first instance of a Pakistani parliamentarian publicly acknowledging the success of an Indian leader’s policies since the conflict.

Mixed Reactions in Pakistan and on Social Media

The speech triggered a mixed reaction in Pakistan’s political circles. While some lawmakers admitted that Khan raised valid concerns by urging Pakistan to learn from India’s policy frameworks, others accused him of using India comparisons to politically attack the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), lit up with commentary on the viral video. Some users hailed Khan’s remarks as “bold” and “visionary”, while others called them “controversial” and accused him of undermining national sentiment during a period of diplomatic tension.

India Maintains Silence, But Video Goes Viral

So far, the Indian government has not issued an official response to the speech. However, Indian media outlets and social media users have widely shared the clip, with many interpreting it as a sign of India’s rising global influence in health and technology. Political observers say the episode reflects how India’s domestic policy choices are becoming visible even to adversarial neighbors.

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