Earlier, Pakistan's PM-in-waiting Imran Khan says Vajpayee's efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered
Paying rich tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pakistan on Friday hoped that both neighbouring countries will share happiness together, as they shared grief following the passing away of one of South Asia's tallest leaders.
Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar, who attended the state funeral of Vajpayee, called on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "Vajpayee is remembered in Pakistan as a man of peace. As we share grief today, we hope that we will be able to share happy moments together."
Zafar recited Vajpayee's poem Jung na hone denge (We shall not let war break out), the minister said both countries need to settle issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, through peaceful negotiations. He said India and Pakistan were neighbours and, according to Vajpayee's vision, have to live together.
Earlier, Pakistan's PM-in-waiting Imran Khan said Vajpayee's efforts for India-Pakistan peace will always be remembered.
In a statement, Khan called Vajpayee a prominent political personality of the sub-continent and that his death had created a big void. "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 the office of prime minister," the statement read.
He further said that by creating peace between the two countries, 'we can truly recognise the service of Vajpayee'. Khan said both countries have just celebrated their independence days and there is also a desire for peace on both sides of the border despite political differences. Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) spokesman also extended "heartfelt condolences" to Vajpayee's family and to the government and people of India.
In February 1999, when Vajpayee took a bus to Lahore, he regaled the audience there by reciting his own popular poem Jung na hone denge…Bharat Pakistan padosi, saath-saath rehna hai, pyar karein ya 'war' karein, donon ko hi sehna hai; Jo hum par guzari, bachchon par na hone denge, jung na hone denge (India and Pakistan, we are neighbours. We have to live together. Whether we love or fight each other, we both have to face the consequences. What we had to endure, we shall not let our children suffer the same. We shall not let another war break out between India and Pakistan.) But within months of his return, Pakistan occupied Kargil heights, triggering a war and belying his hopes of peace.
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 "Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar with Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj")
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