*ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday rejected a petitionchallenging the government’s decision to send a captured Indian pilot backhome, ARY News reported.*
Justice Athar Minallah of the high court dismissed the constitutionalpetition after hearing initial arguments.
“Parliament’s decision can’t be challenged in the high court,” he observed.
The petitioner pleaded with the high court to restrain the government fromreleasing Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman and direct it to try and punishthe Indian Air Force (IAF) officer under the Army Act.
Pakistan is set to release today the captured Indian pilot as a gesture ofpeace in order to de-escalate the soaring tensions with New Delhi.
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The announcement was made on Thursday by Prime Minister Imran Khan ata joint session of parliament, summoned to send a strong message to Indiathat the nation is united in the face of Indian belligerent acts.
Abhinandan would be handed over at Wagah border crossing to officials ofthe Indian High Commission, sources said.
