Remarks recounting release of Wing Commander Abhinandan has weakened state: Pak Minister

Pakistan’s Information Minister Shibli Faraz has slammed Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq for his remarks regarding the circumstances surrounding the release of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

“The remarks by Ayaz Sadiq are beyond apology. Now the law will take its course. Weakening the state is an unforgivable crime for which Ayaz Sadiq and his companions must be punished,” Faraz said in a tweet.

This comes after the Pakistani lawmaker Ayaz Sadiq had recounted the events of the February 2019 meeting during a speech in the country’s National Assembly, where he had revealed why Imran Khan’s government decided to release Abhinandan Varthaman.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader had said that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had in an important meeting pointed out that if Pakistan did not release Abhinandan Varthaman, India would attack Pakistan “that night by 9 pm.”

The PML-N leader had to apologize for remarks after backlash from the government.

Wing Commander Varthaman came into the limelight after he shot down a Pakistani aircraft F-16, which had transgressed into the Indian airspace during a dogfight between Indian and Pakistani air force on February 27, 2019 and in the process, his plane crossed over to Pakistani side and was shot down.

Abhinandan was returned to India from the Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019. He has been awarded the Vir Chakra on Independence Day by President Ram Nath Kovind for his exemplary bravery.