Islamabad, March 1: The Islamabad High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed against the release of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was captured by Pakistan two days earlier. The pilot was seized after his MIG-21 Bison fighter jet was shot down during a dogfight near the Line of Control (LoC).

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case earlier in the day ahead of the pilot's release, Samaa TV reported. Justice Minallah told the petitioner the decision to release the pilot was made by Prime Minister Imran Khan during a Parliament session on Thursday and no parliamentarian raised any objections. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Returns to India From Pakistan Via Attari Wagah Border; Nation Celebrates As IAF Pilot Comes Back Home.

"So this is a policy matter and we must respect Parliament," the judge said. Khan had announced that Pakistan will release the pilot as a "gesture of goodwill".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 01, 2019 06:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).