Sidhu's hug is the talk of town.
Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu today hoped that his friend Imran Khan's accession to the prime minister's post will be good for Pakistan-India peace process.
Wearing a dark blue suit and a purple turban, Sidhu was among the special guests present at Khan's oath taking ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (the President House) in Islamabad today.
Khan, who famously captained the national cricket team to World Cup glory in 1992, had invited some of his former teammates and friends to witness his formal accession to the top ministerial job in the country.
Wasim Akram and other members of the 1992 cricket World Cup winning team also watched the ceremony alongside senior PTI leaders.
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa after arriving at the ceremony went to the front row of the guests where Sidhu was seated next to President of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Masood Khan.
Gen Bajwa hugged Sidhu and both chatted briefly. Warm smiles were exchanged. As the two chatted, they hugged once more.
The hug has now become a huge controversy back home. Along with that, the other issues was Sidhu’s seat as he sat adjacent to the PoK president.
Here’s how people reacted:
1. Sambit Patra on the hug
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Speaking about the hug with Pak Army chief General Bajwa, Sambit Patra said: "Hugging General Bajwa is a bigger crime. General is known for the fact that his intervention has caused multiple deaths of innocents in India."
2. Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik criticises Sidhu
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"Sidhu's visit to Pakistan is shameful," said Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik. "On one side, the Pakistan army was involved in attacking our soldiers at the border and on the other side Sidhu was hugging the Army chief. Does it mean he was thanking him for killing our jawans?" he asked.
Pic Source: ScreenGrab
3. SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema hits out at Sidhu
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The Shiromani Akali Dal said Sidhu broke the "decorum" by visiting Pakistan. "The whole nation is observing seven-day mourning in the wake of the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. At this point of time, it becomes necessary that no minister should attend ceremonial functions. By visiting Pakistan, Sidhu has broken the decorum," said SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema.
4. AAP criticises Sidhu
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The main opposition party, the Aam Aadmi Party, also condemned Sidhu for hugging Pakistan Army chief.
"Though it is Sidhu's personal visit to Pakistan, if he hugged Pakistan Army chief then it is condemnable," said AAP MLA and Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema.
5. Sidhu speaks about the hug
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Speaking about his hug with Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Congress leader said, "General Bajwa Sahab hugged me and said that it is time for peace. It is my dream as well. Today morning he came up to me and told me that the Pakistan government is thinking of opening a route in Katarpur to mark the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev."
Pic Source: AFP
6. J&K Cong on Sidhu sitting next to PoK President
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J&K Cong chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir was quoted saying by ANI: “He is a responsible person and a minister. Only he can answer, but yes he could have avoided this.”
7. Sidhu on Indo-Pak peace
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Addressing the media in Islamabad, Sidhu said, "It is our duty that we go back and ask our governments to take a step ahead. I hope that if we take one step forward, people here will take two steps forward."
Pic Source: AFP handout
