Despite Having Many Secrets Never Made Irresponsible Assertions, Says Ayaz Sadiq

On Sunday, Ayaz Sadiq, former speaker of the National Assembly and PML-N leader, while referring to the recent controversial speech he made in the National Assembly, said that regardless of the fact that he had numerous “secrets”, he did not make any irresponsible statements, adding that he completely stands by his stance. 

On Wednesday, Sadiq delivered a speech in the lower house of the National Assembly in which he claimed the reason behind the PTI government’s decision to release the captured Indian Pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was the fear they had of an impending attack from India. 

This controversial statement was immediately condemned by ministers and acutely criticized on social media platforms. 

Prompted by the speech, Major General Babar Iftikhar, the 21st Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), held a press conference, seeking to set the record straight once and for all regarding the events that took place in February last year when the Indian Airforce tried to violate Pakistan’s airspace. 

Although not naming anyone, purportedly referring to Sadiq’s remarks, D-G ISPR said that a statement tried to manipulate the history of issues related to national security.

While talking to the media today in Lahore beside Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chairperson of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and the president of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Ayaz Sadiq said that his statement was colored politically that did not advantage Pakistan’s narrative. 

He stated that he has not made any irresponsible statements in the past and never would he make any in the future too.  

In reference to the posters hung up on the walls in Lahore, entitling him as a traitor, he said these posters are no service to the country, adding that a horde of different viewpoints exists in the society but all of them are patriotic and no one has the right to call him a traitor just like he does not. 

Talking on behalf of his party and PDM, Sadiq said that they are political people who make political statements against political rivals from time to time but when the matter is of Pakistan, its institutions, and the unity of its people, they all are united in case of India. 

Answering whether or not he would apologize for his controversial statement, the former National Assembly speaker said that he did not say anything for which he should be apologizing. He said he had already given out a clarification. 

On the other side, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while speaking to the news reporters, said that Ayaz Sadiq’s statement is being used by the government to create a storm in a teacup, adding that unlike anyone or anything else, the national institutions are above criticism. 

Maulana continued that he does not support blasphemous attitude, whether pointed towards them, the judiciary, or the courts.