Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that as a peace gesture they would be releasing Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan on Friday.
Earlier today, the Indian Government sources had said Abhinandan had to be repatriated unconditionally and immediately and there was no question of any deal.
The statement of the government came in response to the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The announcement during a joint session of Parliament came barely an hour after Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Prime Minister Khan is ready to talk to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions.
As the opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif took the floor of the House, Prime Minister Khan apologised for interrupting and said he wishes to announce that the Indian pilot captured by Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday will be released Friday as a "peace gesture".
The announcement was greeted by thumping of desks by Pakistani lawmakers.
Qureshi told Geo News that if India gives priority to peace, Pakistan is ready for peace.
Bollywood Hails Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s Decision
Even Bollywood is coming together to rejoice this big move and is tweeting to show happiness. Many stars of showbiz business including Taapsee Pannu, Diljit Dosanjh, Madhur Bhandarkar, Vishal Dadlani have been tweeting in support of this with the hashtag #SayNoToWar. The big sigh of relief is surfacing the internet and these are few of the dummy tweets by our Bollywood stars!
Shukar 🙏 https://t.co/bNkgS7xIbZ
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) February 28, 2019
Now this really brought smile to my face !!! Waiting for tomorrow ..... with bated breath ☺️ https://t.co/EOGISL26ec
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) February 28, 2019
This is heartening. THIS is worth celebrating. https://t.co/0inbB2pWKt
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) February 28, 2019
Bravo all around 👏 https://t.co/12zqCe1dlt
— Milap (@zmilap) February 28, 2019
Great News. 👌👍#BringBackAbhinandhan https://t.co/dGUKTcXxy5
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) February 28, 2019
This is the best news today 🙏 #Abhinandhan we celebrate your bravery and #pakistan thank you for this step forward to keeping peace #respect https://t.co/9rSuK1uYCb
— Upen Patel (@upenpatelworld) February 28, 2019
T 3104 - समर्पित उन्हें जो हमारी रक्षा करते हैं ; देश समाज के प्रति निष्ठावान रहते हैं🙏🇮🇳
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 28, 2019
https://t.co/z62Q4WaMQA