Posters have appeared in Lahore this week, branding opposition leader Ayaz Sadiq a ‘traitor’. These posters also have pictures of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was arrested by the Pakistan Army on February 27th, 2019, after his jet was downed by Pakistan Air Force upon violation of Pakistan’s air space.
Some of the posters morphed Sadiq as Varthaman. The posters were placed in Lahore city in protest to Pakistan’s opposition leader’s embarrassing comments against Pakistan Army, state institutions, and the current government.
NA 129 Lahore; Ayaz Sadiq’s constituency pic.twitter.com/8V2sCY0Cqa
— Alina Shigri (@alinashigri) October 31, 2020
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, a senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former Speaker National Assembly, has made some irresponsible statements while delivering a speech in the assembly. Sadiq alleged that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that “if we do not release Abhinandan, India may attack Pakistan”.
Read more: Ayaz Sadiq’s statement was due to slip of the tongue, claims Mujeeb ur Rehman Shami
Sadiq through his speech created the impression that Pakistan had released an 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.
https://twitter.com/KhaleejMag/status/1322501215108870144?s=20
Sadiq’s comments had stirred a widespread social media outrage, demanding him to apologize immediately. Other senior members of PMLN also faced vitriol on social media.
Read more: Indian media celebrates Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s comments about Abhinandan
Indian media took Sadiq’s statement and celebrated it. Times Now, India’s TV channel, wrote on their website “’Pair kaanp rahe the, paseene…’: Pak leader describes FM Qureshi’s condition when Wg Cdr Abhinandan was held ”.
Most analysts have reached this conclusion that Ayyaz Sadiq, generally considered a sober person, was used by Nawaz Sharif to support the Indian narrative on Balakot. PMLN as a party has refused to condemn Ayyaz Sadiq.
GVS News Desk