Navjot Singh Sidhu in Lahore


E&E NEWS

18/08/2018

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Indian cricketer Novjot Sidhu has reached Lahore to attend the oath taking ceremony of Imran Khan, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Islamabad.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that the entire squad that Khan captained to victory in the 1992 World Cup were invited to the ceremony, as well as Indian cricket greats Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar and Navjot Singh Sidhu.
However, Kapil and Gavaskar refused to attend owing to prior commitments.
Upon arrival, Sidhi said it is a historic moment in Pakistan and I am glad to be here to show support to friend Khan.
I am here to spread love, the former batsman added.
Mr Sidhu used his usual poetic expression while interacting with reporters.
Welcoming the "change" in Pakistan's democracy with the election of Imran Khan as prime minister, he said Mr Khan should come forward in peace initiative between the two neighbours.
He said he has brought "a message of love" to Pakistan as a goodwill ambassador of India.
"I have come here not as a politician but as a friend. I have come here to take part in the happiness of my friend (Imran)," he said, adding sportsmen and artistes help bringing the people of two sides closer."Hindustan jeevay, Pakistan jeevay," he chanted while reading a verse.Mr Sidhu said former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday, also talked about peace between the two countries.
Quoting late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said, "If there is a fire at a neighbour's house we get the heat of it."
Talking about the qualities of Mr Khan, the former cricketer said: "I have seen Khan converting his weaknesses into his strength. I wish Imran becomes a symbol of prosperity (for his country)."
Replying to a query on the gift he has brought for the former Pakistan Test captain, Mr Sidhu said: "I have brought a Kashmiri shawl for Khan sahib."
Earlier this week, former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev whom Mr Khan had invited on his swearing-in had declined the invitation citing personal engagements.
Report by:
SHIKHA VERMA

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