Pak to Release Indian Air Force Pilot on Friday: Imran Khan

Pakistan will release captured Indian Air Force MiG-21 pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as a good will gesture on on 1st March, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced addressing a joint parliamentary session on Thursday.

Imran stated that Pakistan’s desire for de-escalation should not be confused for weakness.

“I reached out to New Delhi after assuming charge as prime minister. I wrote to Narendra Modi and suggested a meeting between the foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. But we did not get a positive response,” he was quoted as saying by Pakistan news daily, The Express Tribune Thursday.

Abhinandan was captured soon after he descended by parachute after bailing out from his disintegrating aircraft. The PAF shot down two IAF aircraft, and the wreckage of the second aircraft fell in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Imran Khan also offered India complete cooperation in Pulwama attack investigation and sought credible intelligence.