Imran lauds Vajpayee's services for Pak-India ties in condolence message

PM designate says region has lost phenomenal, visionary political figure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has spoken out in the wake of three-time Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s sad demise by extending an overture for peace between the two countries and beyond.

According to the party’s statement on Thursday, the prime minister-in-waiting said there could be political differences between the two countries, however, the desire to establish peace exists on both sides of the border.

He said Vajpayee’s death has created a vacuum in the region’s political arena. “In order to pay homage to his tireless services, we can resort to the establishment and promotion of peace across the region.”



Khan said the subcontinent had lost a phenomenal and a visionary political figure, whose contribution will never be forgotten in Pak-India relations.

“As foreign minister Vajpayee strived to open up ways towards normalisation of relations among neighbouring states and had successfully taken this agenda to new heights after assuming office of the prime minister,” the statement read.

“I extend sympathies to the people of India in this hour of grief," Khan was quoted as saying.