Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had sparked major controversy after being shown seated next to the president of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s swearing-in and hugging Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, on Sunday defended himself, saying he was asked to sit there.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu sparked major controversy after being shown seated next to the president of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s swearing-in and hugging Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. (AFP)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
“If you’re invited as a guest of honour somewhere, you sit wherever you are asked to. I was sitting somewhere else but they asked me to sit there,” Sidhu told media persons after returning to India via the Attari-Wagah border on sitting beside President of PoK Masood Khan in the front row at the oath ceremony in Islamabad.
{{^usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
“If someone (Bajwa) comes to me and says that we belong to the same culture and we’ll open Kartarpur border on Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th Prakash Parv, what else I could do?” he said on his interaction with the Pakistan army chief.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
Get Latest News, breaking headlines, and top India News, and today real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, Today Weather, and major developments on Hindustan Times
