Staff Reporter
Rawalpindi
DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar said Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released according to the provisions of the Geneva Convention and that linking it to anything else is “misleading.”
The DG ISPR was addressing a news conference on Thursday where he said that raising questions about Abhinandan’s release was making Pakistan’s clear victory over India controversial.
He spoke to media hours after a statement was issued by PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq the previous day, who said the Indian pilot was released by the Imran Khan-led government out of fear of an Indian attack.
“This, in my opinion, is not acceptable to any Pakistani,” said the DG ISPR. “Such a narrative will have direct consequences on Pakistan’s national security and the enemy is taking full advantage of this in the information domain.”
The DG ISPR said that at a time when Pakistan was facing a hybrid war, it was important for anyone to act responsibly. He said that Pakistan’s military leadership is abreast with the security situation of the region and knew about the internal and external challenges facing the country.
“Pakistan first demonstrated its capability and resolve after weighing all options, from a position of strength. Pakistan’s leadership and its armed forces were ready to deal with any circumstances,” he said, referring to the tense situation that evolved after Pakistan downed two Indian aircraft.
The DG ISPR spoke about how Pakistan’s “alert and effective” response defeated India’s objective. He said that Pakistan’s civil and military leaderships were on the same page in responding to Indian hostility.
“We gave them a bloody nose and it is still hurting,” he said of the skirmish, adding that India had been embarrassed in front of the whole world after its attack had been successfully thwarted.
“Pakistan gave a befitting response to the enemy in broad daylight,” he said, speaking of the events that transpired on February 27. “We downed two fighter jets of the enemy and captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman,” he said, recalling Pakistan’s first dogfight with India after the 1971 war.
The military’s media spokesperson said that Pakistan’s victory over India was recognised by the global community and that the world had appreciated Pakistan’s decision to free Abhinandan.
