According to latest reports, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has declared to release the Indian Air Force pilot, Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow as a "gesture of peace". The IAF pilot was taken into custody by Pak authorities on 27th February after an aerial combat between Indian and Pakistani fighter planes.
Imran Khan made the big announcement at the country's parliament few hours back.
He also said that "Yesterday (27th Feb) I tried to call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to say that we don't want escalation. Our push for de-escalation doesn't mean we are afraid”.
Khan said, "We have an Indian pilot and as a peace gesture, we will release him tomorrow."
Wing Commander, Abhinandan Varthaman before his arrest had shot down 2 Pakistani pilots and also hit an F-16 jet, according to government officials.
The government had called on the Pak ambassador and handed over a demarche demanding "immediate and safe return" of the Indian pilot. It strongly objected to Islamabad’s "vulgar display" of the pilot adding that Pakistan "would be well advised to make sure that no harm comes to him".
*Source NDTV
