ISLAMABAD - *Journalist Cyril Almeida who came to limelight with his infamous Dawn Leaks case and subsequent interview with Nawaz Sharif over Mumbai Attacks has reportedly met with the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad. *
*The reported secret meeting was held in a five star hotel in Islamabad. Cyril was under fire over his controversial reports and interviews with Nawaz Sharif over the issue of non state actors role against India. *
*Earlier he said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s words in the interview regarding 2008 Mumbai attacks were spellbinding and incredible to hear in person.*
He tweeted that the interview was addressed directly to him and was on the record.
“Was immediately obvious the course of the election would change,” he stated.
The shattering effect Nawaz’s words have had were spellbinding, stupefying, incredible to hear in person, addressed directly to me and fully on the record… was immediately obvious the course of the election would change, and maybe much else besides…
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) May 14, 2018 link>
He went on to say that the timing of the interview was pure luck as he was in Multan for a story on south Punjab.
“He clearly wanted to speak and wanted to be heard,” Almeida said. “Happy enough to be there.”
Timing of the interview was pure dumb luck, was already in Multan in search of a story on south Punjab when learned of Nawaz’s jalsa the next day and reached out for an interview… That said, he clearly wanted to speak and wanted to be heard… Happy enough to have been there…
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) May 14, 2018 link>
Nawaz Sharif, in his statement to Cyril Almeida, said “Militant organizations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me.”