Abhinandan Varthaman to be freed: 'Goodwill gesture' a 'cup of joy’ for billion people, Sidhu tells Imran

Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran for his "goodwill gesture" after he announced his country will release IAF's captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday as a "gesture of peace"

Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Photo: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (File)

NEW DELHI: Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday praised Pakistan Prime Minister Imran for his "goodwill gesture" after he announced his country will release IAF's captured pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Friday as a "gesture of peace". Sidhu, who shares an amiable relation with Imran Khan since his cricketing days, said the PTI chairman's goodwill gesture is 'a cup of joy' for a billion people. He said he is overjoyed for Abhinandan Varthaman's parents and loved ones. "Every noble act makes a way for itself... your goodwill gesture is ‘a cup of joy’ for a billion people, a nation rejoices... I am overjoyed for his parents and loved ones (sic)," Sidhu tweeted. Earlier in the day, Sidhu had said "no son of our soil should be separated from his loved ones as fighter pilot Abhinandan is today." Imran Khan has announced Varthaman will be released on Friday as a gesture of peace and the "first step" to open negotiations with India. The surprise 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.

@ImranKhanPTI Every noble act makes a way for itself... your goodwill gesture is ‘a cup of joy’ for a billion people, a nation rejoices... I am overjoyed for his parents and loved ones.

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) February 28, 2019

"In our desire for peace, I announce that tomorrow (Friday), and as a first step to open negotiations, Pakistan will be releasing the Indian Air Force officer in our custody," Khan said.

Pakistan will release Indian Pilot Abhinandan tomorrow as a gesture of peace: Prime Minister Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/6aUN4S9JVb

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 28, 2019

The announcement was greeted by thumping of desks by Pakistani lawmakers. India on Thursday made it clear that IAF pilot Abhinandan cannot be a bargaining chip and New Delhi will not strike any deal with Islamabad for his release.