The science ministry has slammed Indian media for twisting a statement made by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry in the National Assembly, terming it a “futile attempt to malign the image of Pakistan”.
“The Indian media has once again acted with gross irresponsibility by misrepresenting the context of the speech delivered by Chaudry Fawad Hussain,” a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement issued after Chaudhry’s NA speech was linked to the Pulwama attack by Indian media.
Press statement by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Pakistan in response to the misrepresentation of the speech of @fawadchaudhry by the Indian media.@IndiaToday @htTweets @timesofindia pic.twitter.com/BJ0SWUKAlU
— Ministry of Science & Technology (@MinistryofST) October 29, 2020
Fawad referred to PAF’s ‘Operation Swift Retort”
“As a matter of fact, Hussain referred to ‘Operation Swift Retort’ which was a successful military response by the PAF to the transgression by the Indian Air Force into Pakistan’s territory, as a result of which two Indian jets were shot down, not to mention the arrest of the widely discussed pilot Abhinandan, who was later released by the Government of Pakistan as a diplomatic gesture of peace, the statement added.
Fawad did not call Pulwama terror attack a “great achievement” under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
This statement by Chaudhry was made in response to Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former Speaker National Assembly, who appears to have deliberately twisted words and facts while delivering a speech in the assembly. Sadiq through his speech created the impression that Pakistan had released Indian pilot in a state of panic and under Indian threat. He alleged that when Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi entered the meeting his legs were trembling and he was sweating with fear.
PMLN refuses to condemn Ayyaz Sadiq; aligns itself with Indian narrative
Most analysts have reached this conclusion that Ayyaz Sadiq, generally considered a sober person, was used by Nawaz Sharif to support Indian narrative on Balakot. Anchor person, Imran Khan, participating in Kashif Abbassi’s program on Thursday, 29th Oct, claimed that Ayyaz Sadiq’s action was not his personal act but was discussed before hand with PMLN leadership. PMLN as a party has refused condemning Ayyaz Sadiq.
Far from that party spokesperson, Maryam Aurangzeb, was being heard on Geo News, blaming Fawad Chaudhry for helping Indian narrative on Pulwama. This despite the fact that its obvious beyond any doubt that Fawad Chaudhry was merely referring to PAF’s response after Indian incursions in Balakot. Indian media is twisting that Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s minister has taken credit for Pulwama attack, but the irony is that Maryam Aurangzeb, PMLN spokesperson is supporting Indian media line. It is becoming obvious that Nawaz Sharif is exploiting PMLN in his personal and family interests and is convinced that hurting state interests will get him and Maryam political relief. But PMLN had no will, as a political party, to defy his control. This does not look very good for PMLN’s future in Pakistani politics.
Read More: Understanding geopolitical environment before Pulwama attack – Asif Haroon Raja
Moeed Pirzada, a prominent anchorperson, noted that there was an intense disinformation to mispresent Chaudhary’s statement.
Such intense was Indian & PMLN disinformation that even I was confused if Fawad had mixed up words but here is FC actual speech, he clearly mentions, "After Pulwama" & refers to "Shaheens" (PAF); there is no scope of misunderstanding (except in the morbid world of Sharifs) pic.twitter.com/mYfyNHG6OT
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) October 30, 2020
On 26 Feb, 2019 Indian planes had crossed the Line of Control and struck deep inside the Pakistani territory at Balakot (near Abbottabad, in the Pakistani province of Khyher Pakthunkhwa) prompting a counter-strike from Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Feb, 27. In the ensuing dogfight India lost two planes (a Mig-21 and an advanced Russian built SU-30).
India should stop blaming Pakistan, PM Khan
After the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Imran Khan said India should “stop blaming Pakistan without any proof or evidence” and urged Indian authorities to share any “actionable intelligence”.
“If you think that you will launch any kind of attack on Pakistan, Pakistan will not just think about retaliation, Pakistan will retaliate,” he said, adding that only dialogue could help solve issues in Kashmir.
India blamed Pakistan for the suicide bombing in Pulwama that killed over 40 soldiers in India-held Kashmir. Pakistan has strongly rejected the Indian claim, urging New Delhi to avoid such “sad and baseless knee-jerk reactions”.
The Indian media reported that the suicide car-bomber Aadil Ahmad Dar used more than 750 pounds of explosives against the military convoy he targeted.
Read More: Was Pulwama attack done by BJP?
However, The New York Times report hinted that the bomber might have been motivated by domestic reasons to carry out the attack. “The nature of Thursday’s bombing suggests the insurgency is adapting and becoming more homegrown, leaving observers to question how deep the links to Pakistan really run,” the newspaper observed.