Navjot Sidhu hopes for a change after visiting Pakistan

The cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu faced flak at home for going to Pakistan and meeting its new Prime Minister Imran Khan at his oath-taking ceremony. He received warm reception in the neighbouring country and also attended a meeting featuring former Pakistani cricketers under the chairmanship of Khan. Sidhu was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Pakistani Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and hugging him.

The latter reportedly introduced himself to Sidhu as a general who wanted to be a cricketer. Sidhu, who spoke to the media after attending Khan’s swearing-in in Islamabad, said the chiefs of Pakistan’s three defence services introduced themselves to guests who were seating in the front row.

“He said, Navjot, we want peace,” the Indian politician, currently a cabinet minister in the Punjab government, was quoted as saying by The News. India and Pakistan share a troubled relationship since their independence in 1947 and have fought three major wars in the last seven decades.

Bajwa also reportedly told Sidhu that Islamabad would inaugurate a corridor to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur on the 500th birth anniversary in 2019 of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. The shrine is built where Guru Nanak is believed to have been buried. “We will even think of doing better things,” Sidhu further quoted the Pakistani Army chief as saying.

Any change will bring hope

Soon after his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, did well in the June 25 elections that Khan said he hoped his country’s relations with India improved and said if India took one step towards bettering their relationship, Pakistan will take two. Navjyot Sigh Sidhu also hoped that India takes that one initiative. “This is a change and any change will bring hope. Hope sees the invisible and conquers the impossible,” the 54-year-old, who is known for his mannerisms, said.

Khan had also invited the two legendary Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev to the oath-taking ceremony but both turned it down, citing prior engagements.

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