New Delhi: In what emerges to be a major embarrassment for Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu — who is facing the Opposition’s ire for “accepting” Pakistan Prime Minister-elect Imran Khan’s invite at his swearing-in ceremony — Khan’s party has rescinded the invitation extended to him and three others – ex-cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and actor Aamir Khan.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday issued a statement saying the invitation extended by Khan to people under his personal capacity has been rescinded, as the oath-taking ceremony will be an austere and simple event.
The clarification comes a couple of days after the party’s national spokesperson, Fawad Chaudhary, while speaking to reporters in Islamabad, said an array of Khan’s personal friends have been invited, including former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Navjot Sidhu, along with Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.
While Aamir had refused to attend the oath-taking ceremony without citing reasons, Sidhu and Dev expressed their interest to be part of the historic event in Islamabad, slated for August 11.
Sidhu, who heads the Information & Broadcasting Ministry in Punjab, said Khan is his old-friend and he is “honoured” to be among the first-invitees.
Calling Khan as a man of character, Sidhu said such leaders come ince in the turn of century and have the potential to change the country’s fate. “Man of character should be trusted. And Khan Sahab is someone who should be trusted,” he added.
Speaking to reporters at the Chandigarh Press Club today, Sidhu said his visit to Pakistan will strengthen India-Pakistan ties. All peace-loving people on both sides of the border want better relations, he said, adding that he dreams of the day when Punjabis could have breakfast in Amritsar, lunch in Lahore and “return to Punjab by the evening”.
