I stand by my stance: Pakistan lawmakers on his Abhinandan Varthaman remark

He had made the remarks in the National Assembly.

“I stand by my stance. In the coming days, you will see that Pakistan has a clear message for India: that we as the Pakistani nation are one. We have political differences, but we are one against India,” said the former NA speaker in a press conference as quoted by The News International.

Sadiq claimed that he was privy to “many secrets” as he used to head the National Security Committee of Parliament, but never gave any “irresponsible statement and will never give” one.

“We are political people. We have given statements against our political opponents and will keep on giving such statements,” said the PML-N leader.

Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Jawed Bajwa's legs were shaking when the country's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the lawmakers in a meeting February last year that India would attack if Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was not released, Ayaz Sadiq of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) claimed during a speech in parliament.

“I remember Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in the meeting in which Imran Khan had refused to attend and Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa came into the room, his legs were shaking and he was perspiring. Foreign Minister said for God’s sake let Abhinandan go, India’s about to attack Pakistan at 9 PM," said Sadiq, reported Pakistan's Dunya News.

Soon after, Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced that Pakistan was releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan as a sign of “goodwill gesture”.

According to Dunya News, Sadiq said the opposition has supported Imran Khan's PTI-led government in everything including the release of Abhinandan, but won't anymore.

The IAF pilot was captured after his Mig 21 Bison was shot down during a dogfight with Pakistani fighter planes.  However, before his plane was shot, Abhinandan had brought down an F-16 of Pakistan air force.