DG ISPR gives clarification on release of Abhinandan

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar has clarified events surrounding the release of Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian pilot captured by Pakistan on 27 February, 2019.

While addressing the media, the DG ISPR said that a statement about the release of Abhinandan being reported has been twisted and further confirmed what really happened that day.

He termed that day a ‘clear victory’ for Pakistan by defeating India after they violated international principles and crossed the border to attack our nation.

DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar told media:

They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes,

Our timely response derailed their efforts. Their planes and the explosives they had come to rain down on the Pakistani people, they instead dropped on empty mountains. They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes,

He further recalled the events of that day saying:

According to the DG ISPR, the Government of Pakistan made a responsible and gave “peace a chance” when they decided to return Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan.

The move was in accordance with the Geneva Convention and lauded all over the world while the triumph was not only celebrated in Pakistan but recognized all over the world while India made excuses blaming defeat on unavailability of Rafale jets.

However, the DG ISPR confirmed that the civil and military leadership was prepared to deal with any sort of situation as he said:

I wish to set the history straight once more. Pakistan first demonstrated it capability and resolve. The decision was then made keeping all war options in mind and from a position of strength,

He further expressed disappointment over the statements made earlier regarding the release of Abhinandan calling them ‘highly regrettable and misleading’ while saying:

This is actually tantamount to making Pakistan having the upper hand on India and its victory against it controversial,

DG ISPR also criticized airing of such statement on national television saying:

And for such a negative statement to be aired live has effects on national security. The enemy is taking great advantage of this and this is reflected in Indian media,

The DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar also stated that Pakistan military was fully prepared to handle all internal and external challenges while being fully aware of the situation when it comes to the region’s security.

He further told media:

With the nation’s help, we will defeat any conspiracy against Pakistan and any show of force will be met with a robust response,

Ayaz Sadiq says he was misquoted

PML-N leader and former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq also stated that he was misquoted regarding his statement on the release of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan.

According to Sadiq, the decision to release the pilot was a weakness of the civil leadership and his statement has been misquoted by Indian media while being used to create a fake narrative of the events following that day.

Ayaz Sadiq told media:

Indian media, news channels and the tweets that are coming are totally contradictory to what I said on the floor of the House yesterday.

This is being misreported and misquoted and is categorically wrong,

Capture of Abhinandan in February 2019

Indian Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan Airforce in February of 2019 when his MiG-21 aircraft was shot down on entering the airspace above Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K).

Abhinandan was held for a 60-hour period before being released back to India as a peace gesture hoping that it might lead to improved relations between both nations.

Read more: FM Qureshi dismisses Ayaz Sadiq for remarks on Abhinandan release.

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