BJP MP says Sidhu’s decision to visit Pakistan ‘treacherous’

NEW DELHI: Indian Cabinet Minister Navjot Sigh Sidhu expressed his wish to visit Pakistan and attend swearing-in ceremony of prime minister in-waiting Imran Khan and it’s not going well with leaders belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a critical response, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy criticised Sidhu for accepting [the invitation for Imran’s oath ceremony], saying Sidhu’s decision to go was “treacherous”.

However, Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has stated that no foreign dignitary will be a part of the swearing-in ceremony while Pakistan’s Foreign Office also made the same statement later yesterday.

Earlier, Sidhu had said: “It is (a) great honour, I accept the invitation. Men of genius are admired, men of power are feared, but men of character are trusted. Khan Sahab is a man of character. He can be trusted. Sportsmen build bridges, break barriers, unite people,” he added.

Sidhu was of the view, “It’s a huge honour for me. It’s a personal invitation (for Imran Khan’s swearing-in) from him and not a political one.”

Praising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and to be prime minister on Pakistan, Sidhu said: “He (Imran Khan) has risen from scratch in politics. I see him as a ray of hope.”