LAHORE: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shahbaz Gill and Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan have criticised PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq, alleging that he had promoted the anti-government agenda by saying that the PTI government had released Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman in capitulation, fearing an attack from India.

Former National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, however, stands by his statement made in the assembly, adding that he had got ‘many secrets’ but never made irresponsible statements.

CM Buzdar, in a statement on Saturday, said Mr Sadiq and other opposition leaders’ statements were beyond comprehension and represented anti-Pakistan elements and their statements had been rejected by the people.

Saying that 220m Pakistanis were standing by their armed forces to protect Pakistan’s geographical and ideological boundaries, he added that the anti-Pakistan agenda of country’s enemies would not be allowed to flourish. He alleged that those trying to make state institutions controversial on the instructions of foreign masters were trying to damage the cause of Pakistan.

Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, SAPM Shahbaz Gill rejected Mr Sadiq’s statement on the release of the Indian pilot.

“When India attacked Pakistan, violating international laws, Indian aircrafts dropped payload somewhere in forest and returned. On the very next day, two Indian air jets were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force,” Mr Gill said.

He alleged that the PML-N’s leadership’s narrative was aimed at protecting their looted money and creating a division in the national institutions.

Mr Gill stressed that the opposition should do politics on governance but not show irresponsible attitude towards national interests. He suggested to the ‘PML-N’s B and C category leadership’ to protect itself from the anti-state narrative of the PML-N leadership.

On matters of the national integrity, he said, the opposition, the media and people from different walks of life were taken into confidence. He made it clear that the opposition was informed about the wisdom behind the decision regarding Abhinandan.

“We believe in the Geneva Convention but prior to it, the laws of Riasat-i-Madina had clearly defined how to treat a prisoner of war. That’s why when Abhinandan went back to India he accepted that he was treated very well by the Pakistan army.”

Mr Gill said, “We don’t stop anyone from holding public gatherings but now Pakistan has to form a code of conduct in this regard”.

Mr Gill said Prime Minister Imran Khan had always given a befitting reply to the anti-Islam forces to foil their nefarious designs. He said the PM could offer all kinds of sacrifice for sanctity, dignity and honour of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and added that he had written letters to leaders of different Islamic countries across the globe to play their role for curbing Islamophobia.

Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan tweeted a video of the Indian media where Indian pilot Abhinandan could be seen admitting that he was captured by the Pakistan army after his jet was shot down. The Indian pilot also stated that the Pakistan Army rescued him from the wrath of civilians in Pakistan and treated him well.

Mr Chohan tweeted that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) should watch the video and be ashamed that how Indian media, civil society, Indian Air Force and Indian army were trying to delete the video. Even in this situation, he said, the PDM leaders were trying to promote anti-Pakistan narrative.

Senior Punjab Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said Mr Sadiq’s pro-India statements were based on Indian PM Narendra Modi’s approval, which was tantamount to treason against the constitution.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2020