PM’s gesture of releasing Indian pilot hailed by WCOP, UKPKCF

LONDON, Mar 02 (APP):The World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP) and the United Kingdom Pakistani and Kashmiri Councillors Forum (UKPKCF) appreciating Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision of releasing the captured Indian Air Force pilot, said the step would help de-escalate ongoing tension between two nuclear armed neighbours.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision of releasing Wing Commander Abhinandon was the victory of sanity over insanity and statesmanship over jingoism,” Arif Anis, a UK-based analyst and WCOP Executive Director, said talking to APP.He said the Prime Minister’s decision would have wide-ranging impacts as he had again offered India to come to the negotiating table for addressing all issues, including core Kashmir dispute.
“It is an extension of olive branch in world’s most volatile region and this extraordinary initiative makes Khan favourite for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize,” he remarked.
Anis said a petition had already gathered more than 50,000 supporters in few hours to nominate Imran Khan for the Nobel Peace Prize.
He said Pakistan itself was a victim of terrorism as over 70,000 of its citizens and army personnel had lost their lives in suicide attacks, bomb blasts and other terrorist acts, besides thousands of others injured and disabled for life during the past 15 years.
“Pakistan is a responsible country and will not allow anyone to violate its airspace for achievement of ulterior motives,” he said.
The WCOP founder said the Prime Minister had reiterated his offer of dialogue to India as solution of all problems rested in talks instead of use of force.
He said the Prime Minister had also offered a joint probe into the Pulwama attack and expressed the optimism that Modi government would positively reciprocate by sharing actionable information with Pakistan.
Pakistan’s desire for peace, he cautioned, should not be considered its weakness as it was nuclear power with a strong professional army and 220 million people. “We cannot can accept violation of our sovereignty,” he said, adding Pakistan had taken a strong action by shooting down two Indian aircraft inside its territory after repeated LoC violations by the Indian Air Force.
“No country has given much sacrifices in the war against terror than Pakistan. No one can harm us in the presence of a professional army that had even defeated a hidden enemy in the war against terrorism and restored pace in Pakistan.”
He said millions of people in India were living below the poverty line, besides confronted with illiteracy and unemployment problems. It would be better for the Modi government to focus on the resolution of those issues of his people rather than fuelling anti-Pakistan sentiments in a bid to win the elections, he added.
Meanwhile, Hon. Alderman Mushtaq Lashari CBE, UK coordinator of UKPKCF, also strongly condemned Indian aggression against Pakistan and its people.
Talking to APP, he said,”We appreciate Imran Khan for releasing the Indian pilot as a peace gesture and urge India to reciprocate in the same manner and come on the table for resolving all the issues, including Kashmir, through dialogue in the larger interest of the people of entire region.”
He said the seven decade-long Kashmir issue could be solved through war and it should be settled down through peaceful means.
Mushtaq Lashari, who is also Chairman World Solidarity Forum, called upon both India and Pakistan to shun war and invest in the human capital development, health, education and poverty alleviation in order to improve the quality of life of their people.