WION withdraws invitation to Pervez Musharraf, Fawad Chaudhry from its Global Summit

In view of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama, WION has withdrawn its invitation to all the speakers from Pakistan who were to participate in the Global Summit: South Asia Edition that is scheduled to take place in Dubai on February 20.

“We believe this heinous attack has vitiated the atmosphere and any deliberation on collective prosperity with Pakistan is untenable. Among those who will not be joining us now is Mr Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Govt of Pakistan, whose statements on the Pulwama attack we unequivocally condemn,” said a statement from the network.

“General Pervez Musharraf, former President and Army Chief of Pakistan, Mr Abdul Basit, former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India and Mr Salman Bashir, former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan will also not be part of the Summit now,” the statement mentioned.

However, the other sessions of the Global Summit on unleashing the collective potential of South Asia, the strategic balances and alliances in the region, the India-Maldives partnership, sustainable growth, the role of women in nation building and the changing face of media will be held as scheduled.

“WION remains committed to presenting India’s perspective to the world, and that includes taking a stand against entities and individuals trying to hurt India. We salute the martyrs of Pulwama. Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families,” stated the network.

Talking about it on Twitter, senior Zee Media journalist Sudhir Chaudhary wrote, “Tough times call for tough measures.”

Tough times call for tough measures. As India mourns the martyrs of Pulwama, @WIONews has withdrawn its invite to the Pakistani speakers from its Global Summit to be held in Dubai on Feb 20.Pak I&B Min Fawad Chaudhary & Former Prez Gen Pervez Musharraf were among the participants pic.twitter.com/U6mio9OXAt

— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) 16 February 2019