Sidhu says hug was ‘emotional’
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday urged dialogue with India and resolution of all disputes including Kashmir even as he jumped to the defence of beleaguered Congress leader and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying that those targeting him in India were doing a “great disservice to peace in the subcontinent”.
Sidhu — who visited Pakistan at the invitation of Mr Khan for his oathtaking ceremony — was hailed by the Pakistani PM as an “ambassador of peace”. Mr Sidhu is under fire from the BJP for hugging Pakistan Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa at the ceremony.
“To move forward Pakistan and India must (have a) dialogue and resolve their conflicts including Kashmir: The best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue and start trading,” Mr Khan tweeted.
Sidhu, meanwhile, hit back at the BJP, reminding it of trips to that country by former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and PM Narendra Modi as Prime Ministers.
He defended hugging Gen. Bajwa at the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Khan as an “emotional” response on learning that Sikh pilgrims may now be allowed to visit the Kartarpur shrine across the border.
■ Sidhu — who visited Pakistan at the invitation of Mr Khan — was hailed by the Pakistani PM as an “ambassador of peace”.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday urged dialogue with India and resolution of all disputes including Kashmir even as he jumped to the defence of beleaguered Congress leader and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying that those targeting him in India were doing a “great disservice to peace in the subcontinent”.
Sidhu, meanwhile, hit back at the BJP, “Why are there double standards?” Mr Sidhu was quoted by news agencies as saying at a press meet in Chandigarh. “The then prime minister Atalji went there with a message of friendship. Thereafter, the Kargil War took place. Five hundred twenty-seven jawans attained martyrdom. Will you blame him?” he said.
“Then, Modi sahib went to Pakistan without even any official formalities and hugged former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. Will you not call him a patriot?” he said, referring to PM’s surprise visit to Lahore in 2015. He said hugging Gen. Bajwa at the swearing-in ceremony was an “emotional response” on learning that Sikh pilgrims may now be allowed to visit the Kartarpur shrine across the border.