Legal action against Sadiq on the cards

Interior minister says requests to proceed against PML-N leader under Article 6 under review

ISLAMABAD:

Federal ministers have hinted at taking legal action against PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq for recently claiming during his speech in the National Assembly that Pakistan had released captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman fearing retaliation from the neighbouring country.

Addressing a ceremony in Nankana Sahib on Saturday, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah said the government had received several requests from Islamabad and Lahore to initiate proceedings against the former National Assembly speaker under Article 6 of the Constitution and they were being reviewed.

The minister described Sadiq’s statement as “very wrong” and also hit out at the leaders of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of 11 opposition parties, for their “anti-state” speeches.

He added that the opposition parties were leveling allegations against state institutions in an attempt to secure their “plundered wealth”.

Shah stressed the need for promoting tolerance in the society to curb the tendencies of extremism and sectarianism.

He maintained that the government was making concerted efforts for the promotion of sectarian harmony in the country.

“Anti-state elements wanted to fan sectarianism in the country to achieve their nefarious designs. Nobody should impose their own faith on others,” he added.

The minister also condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures in Franc. “The sentiments of Muslims are being hurt in the West in the name of freedom of speech.”

A day earlier, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said Sadiq's statement was beyond pardon and the law would take its course now.

“Ayaz Sadiq and his supporters should be punished as weakening the State is an unforgivable crime,” the minister tweeted.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Shibli demanded that Sadiq should apologise on the floor of the National Assembly for his statement.

“He [Ayaz] should apologise for his irresponsible statement, which has been much celebrated by the Indian media,” the minister said.

Shibli added that India's so-called military might was badly exposed at the hands of Pakistani heroes in February last year when its fighter jet was shot down after it had crossed the Line of Control in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the pilot was captured.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan had decided to release the captured Indian pilot as a response from a responsible state, because neither Pakistan nor India can afford to go to war.”

The minister said the country was lauded by the world for its decision to release Abhinandan. Regretfully, he added, the opposition was trying to make an event of national pride controversial and portray the country's victory as defeat.

Shibli reiterated that the opposition parties, under the banner of their alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement, were criticising state institutions to protect their personal interests and win some concessions for their corrupt leadership.

On October 28, Sadiq implied in his speech that the PTI government had buckled under fear of an Indian attack and released the Indian pilot captured during last year’s military standoff between the two hostile neighbours.

He claimed that the government had begged the parliamentary leaders to let Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman go.

“I can recall [foreign minister] Shah Mahmood Qureshi sahib was present in a meeting, where the prime minister didn’t show up. The chief of army staff was also in attendance,” Sadiq said while responding to a cabinet member.

“With his legs trembling and sweat on the forehead, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said to us, ‘For God’s sake, let him (Abhinandan) go back now or else India would attack at 9pm’,” he claimed. “No attack was imminent; they only wanted to capitulate and send Abhinandan back.”

Later after sensing the gravity of the situation, Sadiq issued a video statement to clarify that the Indian social media posts and TV channel reports about his speech were “totally contrary” to what he had actually said in parliament.

“Abhinandan had not come to Pakistan to give out sweets. He had attacked Pakistan and it was a victory for Pakistan when his warplane was downed,” he said in a video message.