Pak PM-in-waiting wants to host Manmohan on big day.
It is the season of invitations. Nawaz Sharif, who is set to take oath as Pakistan’s prime minister (PM) for a record third time, said he would be “very happy” to invite his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh for the swearing-in ceremony. “If he comes, it will be a great pleasure for me and for Pakistan,” Sharif said on Monday. Singh on Sunday had asked Sharif to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
Despite the magnanimity from Sharif, the government was cautious in its response with sources telling DNA that Singh would first assess the Pakistan Muslim League-N chief’s visible action towards India’s concerns before taking a call on visiting Pakistan. He is likely to undertake his long-awaited visit to Islamabad only after the new Pakistan government takes over.
The possibility of Singh attending Sharif’s swearing-in ceremony has been ruled out though external affairs ministry officials said they would react only after receiving a formal invitation.
The government’s wait-and-watch approach is likely to soothe ruffled feathers. The BJP has already questioned Singh’s “hasty decision” to invite Sharif to India.
Sharif said Singh called him on Sunday to extend his invitation. He added that he was keen on resuming the India-Pakistan peace process which was interrupted in 1999.
The Congress, meanwhile, welcomed the first-ever smooth transition of power in the neighbouring country. “We compliment the Pakistani people for braving threats and coming out to vote in large numbers,” Congress spokesperson M Afzal said.
Insiders in the party said that unlike the past, when the Congress created hurdles in the PM’s proposals to visit Pakistan due to political reasons, it would not oppose such a move now. In 2006, the Congress Working Committee rejected Singh’s peace proposals on Siachen and Sir Creek as elections in Uttar Pradesh were underway.
Many leaders feel now is the time to strengthen democratic forcesin Pakistan which are haunted by terrorist elements.
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