Pak-India tension: PM Khan another diplomatic triumph over Modi with release of pilot

PM khan announced that the pilot is to be released on Friday

(Web Desk) – Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Thursday) has announced the release of captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman which is another diplomatic victory of Pakistan over India.

Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured Wednesday (yesterday) after Ariel dogfight between Pakistan and Indian Airplanes in response to the violation of Line of Control (LoC) by Indian Air Forces (IAF).

During a joint session of the parliament today, PM khan announced that the pilot is to be released on Friday as a peace gesture.

His announcement is seen as a great gesture in a bid to de-escalate tension between Indian and Pakistan after two Indian fighter jets were shot down on Wednesday following India’s air strike near Balakot inside Pakistan on Tuesday.

At the same time, however, the PM also warned India during his speech that the situation with India should not get out of hand otherwise Pakistan will have to retaliate.

As a true statesman, taking the lead, Prime Minister of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI announced that Pakistan will release captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow as a peace gesture.LetBetterSensePrevail

PTI (@PTIofficial) February 28, 2019

Imran claimed that he also tried to call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday on the phone because ‘escalation is not in our interests nor in India’s.’

Imran reiterated that all issues should be resolved through dialogue. “Despite us opening the Kartarpur corridor, we received no response from India," he said.

Now once again, Pakistan is waiting for India’s response on Imran’s renewed offer to hold talks.

“I have a feeling that the Indian public does not agree with the current government’s warmongering,” he told the parliament.

"I want to tell this august house, Pakistan desires peace. Pakistan intends to work for poverty alleviation, investment, and job creation. We do not intend war. In our desire of peace, I announce that tomorrow, and as a first step to open negotiations, Pakistan will be releasing the Indian Air Force officer in our custody.

“Two nations with weapons of mass destruction should not divulge on the path of war. I seek peace with India.

“We tried to resolve issues through dialogue to lower tensions between both countries. India started blaming Pakistan 30 minutes after Indian soldiers were targeted in Pulwama district of Occupied Kashmir.

“I immediately offered India to provide actionable evidence because we have vowed not to allow our soil to be used against any other country. Unfortunately, war hysteria started booming in India.

“I was informed around 3:30am about Indian act of aggression. I talked to Army Chief and Air Chief and discussed how we should respond. As a responsible state, we did not retaliate immediately to avoid escalation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Prime Minister Imran Khan received a telephonic call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday evening, who appreciated his statesman -like offers to India for de-escalating the situation and working towards peace.

The Turkish President said Islam is a religion of peace that underscores resolving disputes in a peaceful manner.

He appreciated Imran Khan s announcement to release the captured Indian pilot. He said this gesture is a sign of strength.

Imran Khan briefed President Erdogan on the situation as it evolved over the past few days and the efforts he made to de-escalate the crisis.

Both leaders agreed that President Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan for the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting would provide the opportunity for an in-depth overview of bilateral relations and the way forward.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince: The Crown Prince of United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan has appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan s willingness to resolve all issues in a peaceful manner.

In a telephonic call to Prime Minister Imran Khan this evening, the UAE Crown Prince congratulated the Prime Minister on his statesman-like speech in the Joint Session of the Parliament. 

Amarinder Singh: Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hailed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s announcement of releasing IAF’s arrested Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan.

Expressing his views with an Indian news agency ANI, Singh said he is very happy that Wing Commander Abhinandan will be released by Pakistan as a peace gesture and added he demanded his release earlier too.

“This is going to be a step towards goodwill and I hope this will be lasting,” he said.

Navjot Singh Sidhu: Taking to Twitter, Sidhu termed PM Khan’s goodwill gesture ‘a cup of joy for a billion people’. “I am overjoyed for his (Abhinandan) parents and loved ones,” he added.

The Indian politician has also released an official statement condemning the flared up situation. “It is choice, not chance that determines a nation’s destiny,” captions Sidhu.

"They must think the worst of one another because only in thinking the worst, do they believe they can protect and defend. But this belief is a mirage," says the statement.

@ImranKhanPTI Every noble act makes a way for itselfyour goodwill gesture is ‘a cup of joy’ for a billion people, a nation rejoices... I am overjoyed for his parents and loved ones.

 Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) February 28, 2019

It is choice, not chance that determines a nation’s destiny pic.twitter.com/H9PlYNpyBT

Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) February 28, 2019