The National Assembly (NA) session on Thursday, chaired by speaker NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, ended with heated arguments and important parliamentary decisions.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, suspended Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) leader Tariq Bashir Cheema for today’s parliamentary session after a heated argument took place between him and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zartaj Gul.
The decision to suspend Cheema was taken to keep decorum and maintain parliamentary standards.
However, the House accepted the question raised by the NA speaker in this regard.
Earlier, the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) claimed that Tariq Bahir Cheema used abusive words against Zartaj Gul during the parliamentary session.
Ayaz Sadiq also banned YouTubers, TikTokers, and media personnel from making videos in the corridors of the parliament to keep the environment peaceful.
The wedding ceremony of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khawaja Saad Rafique’s daughter took place in Lahore which was attended by disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen.
In an informal conversation with reporters on the occasion, Tareen said that Saad Rafique is a brother and we are like a family. “Friendship with PML-N is old and will continue like this,” said Tareen.
When a reporter asked If Tareen’s plane could ever go towards the PML-N, Tareen responded by saying “Jahaz tou hur jagah ja sakta hai [The plane can go anywhere]”.
Jahangir Tareen was all smiles when the reporter asked him about joining PML-N, to which PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq said that “whether it was Jahangir Tareen or some other PTI leader, everyone except Imran Khan are smiling.”
Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz has hinted at legal action against former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq for accusing the government of releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under pressure, fearing Indian attack.
“What Ayaz Sadiq said is not forgivable,” he tweeted, adding that law will take its course now.
ایاز صادق کی کہی ہوئی بات معافی سے آگے نکل چکی ہے۔اب قانون اپنا راستہ لے گا۔ریاست کو کمزور کرنا ناقابل معافی جرم ہے جس کی سزاایاز صادق اور ان کے حواریوں کو ضرور ملنی چاہیے۔
Faraz asserted that “weakening the state” was an “unpardonable offense”, and promised that Sadiq and his followers will be punished for it.
The statement by the government’s premier spokesperson comes a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar set the record straight about the events surrounding February 27 — the day Pakistan downed two IAF planes and captured Abhinandan.
“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during a media briefing that had come a day after Sadiq among other senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians accused the government of taking the decision to release the pilot under pressure.
Earlier, Sadiq had said that FM Qureshi “was present in the meeting, which Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had refused to attend”.
“India never attacked Pakistan but the government nonetheless handed over Abhinandan to the Indian authorities,” he had said, adding that it was the PTI government and not the opposition that had passed an ordinance to “facilitate” Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Reacting to his claims, the FM regretted how “responsible people were making irresponsible statements”.
BIG: Pakistan’s Member of Parliament Ayaz Sadiq makes explosive claim, says, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi begged before them to let Wing Cdr. Abhinandan cross back to India or else at 9pm that day India would launch attack on Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/OOjCkj39rY
He said he had not expected the former NA speaker to say Pakistan let go Abhinandan under pressure and that his comments were “contrary to the truth”.
Qureshi explained that in the meeting, the government had taken all parliamentary leaders into confidence regarding the intelligence reports it had received but made no mention of the captured Indian pilot. “Highly irresponsible statements are being issued for political gains,” he lamented while also slamming the opposition for its stance on Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
“These people are misleading the nation on the issues of Kulbhushan and Abhinandan,” he had maintained.
Ahead of the military’s version, Sadiq had also questioned PM Imran’s motives behind delaying a meeting related to Abhinandan on the day of his capture.
Ayaz Sadiq says Indian media twisting his statement to NA, says it’s a reality PM Imran Khan asked for NRO for Abhinandan who attacked Pakistan and should not have been returned to India pic.twitter.com/JR6hukAuZp
He lambasted the Indian media for “distorting” his comments from the National Assembly session a day earlier when he had alleged that the government took the decision to release the IAF pilot under pressure.
“One thing is clear: Abhinandan did not come to Pakistan to distribute sweets; he had attacked Pakistan,” the PML-N leader said.
Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry has slammed Indian media for taking his remarks on Pakistan’s response to the Balakot airstrikes out of context and twisting his words to “malign” Islamabad.
In a statement, the minister said that the Indian media “acted with gross irresponsibility by misrepresenting the context of the speech” he delivered during a session of the National Assembly on Thursday. During his address, the federal minister gave his two cents on the controversy surrounding the release of Indian pilot Abhinandan after the Balakot strikes.
“Humne Hindustan ko ghus ke maara (India was given a beating on its own turf). Our success in Pulwama, is the success of the people under the leadership of Imran Khan. We are all part of that success,” Fawad Chaudhry had said.
Following these remarks, the Indian media said that the minister admitted Pakistan’s involvement in the Pulwama bombing that left at least 40 Indian soldiers dead in Feb 2019. Some Indian outlets used these statements to link Pakistan with deadly Pulwama bombing, allegations that Pakistani denies.
Reacting to thes reports, the minister issued a rebuttal, saying the media was twisting his words, as it was obvious he meant the dogfight that resulted in Abhinandan’s capture. “The India jets that entered the Pakistani airspace and got shot down by the Pakistan Air Force. The PAF also captured a pilot, who was returned by the government as a gesture of peace.
“As a matter of fact, [Fawad] Hussain referred to the ‘Operation Swift Retort’ which was a successful military response by the PAF to the transgression by the Indian airforce into Pakitan’s territory, as a result of which two Indian jets were shot down, not to mention the arrest of the widely discussed pilot, who was later released by the government of Pakistan as a diplomatic gesture of peace,” said the statement issued by the spokesperson of the Science and Technology Ministry.
Meri jaan hear full speech so you will know unlike #Endian definition of #GhussKMarna by using terrorism n Kalbhoshans our #GhussKMarna is when our planes target combat installations,unlike Your security doctrine we do not show Bravery by killing innocents n we condemn terrorism https://t.co/bcAcJUP5DD
“It is reiterated that Pakistan has always upheld the international norms of peace and tranquility, and believes in mutual co-existence and cordial relations with its neighbouring countries,” said the minister, as he cleared the “gross” misinterpretation.
The Indian media should promote peace with Pakistan instead of trying to capitalise on polarising rhetoric, the statement concluded.
WAS ABHINANDAN RELEASED UNDER PRESSURE?
This all started when former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq among other senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians accused the government of taking the decision to release the India pilot under pressure. Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had “begged the opposition to release Abhinandan, otherwise, according to the FM, India would have attacked Pakistan at 9 pm that day,” the lawmaker said during a session of the National Assembly.
In response, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar held a press conference to set the record straight about the events surrounding the capture and release of the Indian wing commander, Abhinandan.
“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during the media briefing.
Reacting to the claims that have been made a mountain of by Indian media, Maj Gen Iftikhar said that after the Pulwama incident, on February 26, India violated all international principles and attacked Pakistan. “They not only faced defeat but humiliation all over the world,” Geo News quoted him as saying.
“Our timely response derailed their efforts. Their planes and the explosives they had come to rain down on the Pakistani people, they instead dropped on empty mountains. They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes.”
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar has set the record straight about the events surrounding February 27 — the day Pakistan downed two Indian Air Force (IAF) planes and captured an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during a media briefing that came a day after former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq among other senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians accused the government of taking the decision to release the pilot under pressure.
Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had “begged the opposition to release Abhinandan, otherwise, according to the FM, India would have attacked Pakistan at 9 pm that day,” they had claimed.
Reacting to the claims that have been made a mountain of by Indian media, Maj Gen Iftikhar said that after the Pulwama incident, on February 26, India violated all international principles and attacked Pakistan. “They not only faced defeat but humiliation all over the world,” Geo News quoted him as saying.
“Our timely response derailed their efforts. Their planes and the explosives they had come to rain down on the Pakistani people, they instead dropped on empty mountains. They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes.”
WATCH FULL MEDIA BRIEFING:
He said that in response, the Pakistan Army, in accordance with the people’s wishes, sought to “teach the enemy a lesson”.
“On this decision, all civil and military leadership was on a single page. We responded with full might in the light of day and shot down two planes, along with arresting their pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan [Varthaman],” said the ISPR DG, recalling the events.
He said that the enemy was in such a panicked state that it shot down its own helicopter.
“We gave them a bloody nose and they are still hurting.”
Maj Gen Iftikhar said that Pakistan secured a “clear victory” that day against India. He said not only was India’s hollowed state of preparedness exposed that day but the entire Pakistani nation’s heads were held high.
He said this triumph was not only celebrated in Pakistan but the entire world recognised it. “India held its non-availability of Rafale jets accountable for the defeat,” he added.
The ISPR chief said that the government of Pakistan, in a measured and responsible move, decided to “give peace a chance” and hand over the captured war prisoner Wing Commander Abhinandan over. “The move, which was in accordance with the Geneva Convention, was lauded by the entire world.”
PML-N LEADER’SCLARIFICATION:
Ahead of the military spokesperson’s briefing, Sadiq questioned Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s motives behind delaying a meeting related to Abhinandan on the day of his capture.
He lambasted the Indian media for “distorting” his comments from the National Assembly session a day earlier when he had alleged that the government took the decision to release the IAF pilot under pressure.
“One thing is clear: Abhinandan did not come to Pakistan to distribute sweets; he had attacked Pakistan,” the PML-N leader said.
Ayaz Sadiq says Indian media twisting his statement to NA, says it’s a reality PM Imran Khan asked for NRO for Abhinandan who attacked Pakistan and should not have been returned to India pic.twitter.com/JR6hukAuZp
He noted that PM Imran Khan had convened a meeting of parliamentary leaders pertaining to the Indian pilot but it saw a considerable delay in starting. “The prime minister, through Foreign Minister [Shah Mahmood Qureshi], had said that Abhinandan should be handed over to India immediately.
“What was the reason for a delay in the meeting?” Sadiq asked. “Was he taking dictation from Modi?”
“Did he not consider it appropriate to share with us [the reason for a delay]?” he inquired.
‘GOVT FEARED INDIAN ATTACK’:
Sadiq on Wednesday had said that FM Qureshi “was present in the meeting, which PM Imran had refused to attend”.
“India never attacked Pakistan but the government nonetheless handed over Abhinandan to the Indian authorities,” he had said, adding that it was the PTI government and not the opposition that had passed an ordinance to “facilitate” Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Reacting to his claims, the FM regretted how “responsible people were making irresponsible statements”.
BIG: Pakistan’s Member of Parliament Ayaz Sadiq makes explosive claim, says, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi begged before them to let Wing Cdr. Abhinandan cross back to India or else at 9pm that day India would launch attack on Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/OOjCkj39rY
He said he had not expected the former NA speaker to say Pakistan let go Abhinandan under pressure and that his comments were “contrary to the truth”.
Qureshi explained that in the meeting, the government had taken all parliamentary leaders into confidence regarding the intelligence reports it had received but made no mention of the captured Indian pilot. “Highly irresponsible statements are being issued for political gains,” he lamented while also slamming the opposition for its stance on Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
“These people are misleading the nation on the issues of Kulbhushan and Abhinandan,” he had maintained.
Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 11, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.
‘Usman Buzdar Ki Tabdeeli’
It has been reported by Daily Jang that senior journalist and analyst Suhail Warraich has said, “Imran Khan k paas Usman Buzdar ko tabdeel krnay k ilawa koi option nahi.”
His remarks come at a time when rumours regarding the removal of Punjab chief minister (CM) have gone rife yet again.
‘Wazire Azam K Ladlay Totay‘
In his column, Suhail Warraich has said, “Special assistant to prime minister mein aksar tadaad inn ladlay toton ki hai jo Tehreek-e-Insaf ki siyasi jad-o-jehad mein shaamil naa thay aur naa he unhon ney koi qurbaani di… iss ka bawajood qaabina ka hisa ban bethay… parlimaan k log faisla saazi mein shareek nahi hain magar yeh ghair muntakhib eham tareen mulki faislon mein shareek hotay hain jo k sarasar ghalat riwayat hai.”
‘National Assembly Mein Classroom Wali Harkatein’
According to Daily Jang, PML-N leader and former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said all lawmakers must play their role in improving the environment of the assembly. “My grandchildren told me, ‘Aap log jo kuch assembly mein kartay ho, hum school k classroom mein kr sakty hain’.”
