Imran’s googly ensured Indian ministers’ presence: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan bowled a “googly” to ensure the presence of Indian government representatives at the groundbreaking ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur corridor.

Qureshi’s remarks came a day after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj categorically ruled out the possibility of resumption of bilateral talks with Pakistan unless it stops crossborder terror activities against India. Pakistan earlier invited Swaraj for Wednesday’s ceremony. But Swaraj said she was unable to travel to Kartarpur Sahib due to prior commitments. India was represented at the events by Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri.

Qureshi said that opening of the Kartarpur border was a “big achievement” of the cricketerturned-politician’s government, which on Thursday completed the first 100 days in office after winning the general elections.

“Imran delivered a googly and India sent two ministers to Pakistan,” he said, using a cricketing term. A googly is a leg-spinner’s prize weapon, which is almost undetectable.

Qureshi noted that it was the same Indian government that had said it will not engage with Pakistan. He said a meeting with Indian counterpart Swaraj was fixed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last year but it was cancelled by India.

PAK FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS OPENING OF THE KARTARPUR BORDER IS A “BIG ACHIEVEMENT” OF THE GOVERNMENT LED BY IMRAN KHAN