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Pakistan is willing to consider returning the captured IAF pilot if it leads to "de-escalation" of tensions with India, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday.
His statement came a day after Pakistan detained Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control when his MiG 21 fighter jet was hit.
"Pakistan is willing to consider returning the Indian pilot if it leads to de-escalation," Qureshi said Islamabad.
In New Delhi, government sources said that India has not asked for consular access to the IAF pilot, and is insisting on his unconditional and immediate return.
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Qureshi told Geo News, : "I have just received the [Indian] dossier and have not gotten the chance to examine it. We briefed parliamentary leaders last night, there was a meeting of the cabinet. There is the joint session. I will still say that we will see and examine the dossier with an open heart. I wish they [India] would have sent this dossier earlier. They attacked first and then sent the dossier. If they would have sent the dossier first and sought Pakistan’s answer there would be no need for an attack.”
“If there is de-escalation with the return of this [Indian] pilot, Pakistan is willing to consider this. We are ready for all positive engagement," he added.
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He said, "Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to talk to Narendra Modi on the telephone and ready to extend an invitation of peace. Is Modi ready?”
Asserting that Pakistan has been calling for peace since day one, Qureshi said, "If India wants to talk about terrorism then we are ready."
"Our wish is peace and stability is our top priority," he maintained.
Qureshi questioned, "God forbid there is a war, Pakistan will be affected but will India's economy not suffer?"
Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was safe and sound.
"The armed forces rescued him from the mob that went after him after his plane crashed in Kashmir," the FO said.
The Express Tribune reported that Pakistan is yet to decide whether the IAF pilot will be declared a prisoner of war (PoW) and which convention will be applied.
"The decision (on the IAF pilot) will be announced in a day or two," the report said.
India Wednesday summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan and demanded the immediate and safe return of the IAF pilot who was detained by Pakistan following an aerial engagement by air forces of the two countries.
It has also been made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the External Affairs Ministry said in New Delhi, adding that it has conveyed strong objection to the neighbouring country at the "vulgar display" of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.
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(PTI)
