PM Imran says Pakistan to release Indian pilot tomorrow as peace gesture

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday announced to release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday as a peace gesture.The
pilot was captured by Pakistani forces after his jet was downed on Thursday.The prime minister was giving a policy statement at a joint
sitting of both houses of parliament convened to discuss situation that has emerged after Indian intrusion of Pakistan's airspace.The
session is being attended by all the political parties in the Senate and the National Assembly.Policy StatementHe paid tribute to the
national and political parties for being united in the prevailing situation
He said even before being sworn in as prime minister in July, he had said that Pakistan would take two steps forward if India takes one step
towards peace.The reason behind his statement, he said, was poverty in both Pakistan and India.He said on July 26 gave statement and
followed it by letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi but didn't get a encouraging response.He said Pakistan was expecting an incident ahead
of Indian election seeing jingoistic rehtoric.Khan once again raised the question what his country was supposed to gain from Pulwama attack
which India blamed on Pakistan."India started blaming Pakistan within half an hour after Pulwama attack," he said."After Indian aircraft
violated airspace, Pakistan waited to asdegree the damages instead of reacting instantly", he saidKhan said Pakistan showed responsibility
despite knowing people's sentiment after India violated Pakistan's airspace.The prime minister acted against India and made degree there
was no collateral damage."We took action just to show our capability".He said on Wednesday he he tried to contact his Indian counterpart
after the incident.KashmirHe said Indian people should think what made a youngster to become a suicide bomber in Kashmir, referring to a
suicide attack in Pulwama that eliminateed over 40 Indian troops."There is a need for retrospection in India," he said
"There is need for debate in India on Kashmir".He said India seemed to blame the Pulwama attack on Islamic radicalization which was much
tregret.The Pakistani leader said India should analyze the phenomenon because it had muchhing to do with Islamic radicalization.He said the
suicide attacks are results of desperation and humiliation, citing example form Sri Lanka where Tamil Tigers carried out several suicide
bombings .The prime minister said if India takes action against Pakistan after any future incident in Kashmir, Islamabad shall have no
option but to retaliate ."Tension neither benefits Pakistan nor India," he said.He said Pakistan Army was ready to reply on Thursday
expecting a missile attack from India.He said Pakistan and India should much even think of a war with kinds of weapons they have in their
possession.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of the source
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