I have 'many secrets' but never made irresponsible statements: Ayaz Sadiq defends his Abhinandan release remarks

Pakistan Muslim league Nawaz PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday referring to Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman comments said that he had “many secrets” but never made any “irresponsible statement”.

Sadiq found himself in hot water after his speech in the National Assembly earlier this week, in which he suggested that the PTI government had released Indian pilot in capitulation, fearing an imminent attack from India.

“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,” Sadiq said while taking to media.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who called on former National Assembly speaker at his residence, was also present in the press conference.

Sadiq’s statement was heavily criticised by ministers and by social media users and also prompted the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Major General Babar Iftikhar to hold a presser in which he sought to "correct the record" regarding the events that surrounded India's violation of Pakistani airspace last year in February.

Furthermore, the PML-N leader 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.

Commenting on label of traitor slapped on his, the former NA speaker said, “Neither do I have the right to call anyone a traitor, nor does anyone else have the right to call me one.”

“Our political thinking can be different; but when it comes to Pakistan, the Pakistani nation is united,” said Sadiq.

Moreover he said, “Their attempt to associate my statement with the armed forces of Pakistan was not a service to the country. My statement can be seen and heard in which I talked about this government, which government officials misread by adopting Indian media's strategies. This is not only a blatant plot against Pakistan but is a disservice to Pakistan."

Meanwhile, PDM Chief in defence of Sadiq said the government tried to create a "storm in a teacup" over his statement. If someone "destroys a person's character and his patriotism", then they should also be brought back to their "original standing".

"It is our responsibility to keep our politics according to the law and the Constitution," he stated.