Signalling peace with India, Imran Khan says IAF pilot will be released tomorrow

Islamabad, Feb 28: Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan has said that Indian Air Force Pilot, Wing Commander, Abhinandan will be released tomorrow.

Addressing a joint session of Parliament, Khan said that the pilot will be released tomorrow as a peace gesture.

Khan said that in our desire for 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. The gesture was greeted with unanimous support in the Parliament.

Earlier Khan said that he is afraid that there may be a miscalculation, while referring to a war hysteria. Countries are ruined because of miscalculation. War is not a solution. If India takes action, we will have to retaliate, he also said. He also said that the situation should not get out of hand, otherwise Pakistan will have to retaliate.

Khan also said that he had tried calling Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on the phone on Wednesday. He said that he tried making the call to inform Modi that escalation is not in their interest.

He also said that Pakistan acted with restraint following the Balakot incident because it wanted to be absolutely sure that it did not cause any damage beyond what had been inflicted on itself. The only purpose of the strike was to demonstrate our capability and will. We had no intention of inflicting any casualty on India as we wanted to act in a responsible manner, he also said.