Sidhu reprimanded by Sushma Swaraj for hugging Pak army chief

NEW DEHLI (92 News) – External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reprimanded Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for misusing political clearance granted for the private visit by hugging Pakistan army chief. After Indian media, Sidhu, who took the message of peace from Pakistan, was criticized by the Indian politicians. Navjot Singh Sidhu met with Sushma Swaraj. During the meeting, External Affairs Minister rebuked Navjot Sidhu for messing up Kartarpur Sahib corridor dialogue and misusing political clearance granted for private visit by hugging Pakistani army chief. Sidhu had visited Pakistan last month to attend the swearing ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan. A picture of him hugging Pak army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had gone viral which invited severe criticism from several quarters including from his boss Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Earlier, Sidhu had written to Sushma Swaraj, urging her to make every possible effort on the issue of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara and said Pakistan had shown positive intent in providing access to the historic shrine. On September 7, Sidhu had said that Pakistan had decided to allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara just across the border. In a letter written to Swaraj on September 8, cricketer-turned-politician said: "Now an opportunity has knocked on our doors. Pakistan has shown a positive intent towards the long pending demand of Kartarpur Sahib corridor. Pilgrims and we all have been demanding for this corridor since years". He said some positivity came on this issue when he visited Pakistan for the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan.