ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Law Barrister Syed Ali Zafar led Pakistani delegation on Friday at the funeral of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who breathed his last in New Delhi.
The information minister also met Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. The meeting was attended by high-level officials of Pakistan High Commission and foreign ministry.
Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (Retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk had directed the law minister to represent Pakistan at the funeral.
Pakistan on Thursday condoled the sad demise of the three-time former prime minister of India and said the government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the government and people of India.
“Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development,” the foreign office said in a statement.
A relevant piece published earlier:
Three-time Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has died, current leader Narendra Modi said Thursday of the ailing 93-year-old who had been hospitalized.
“Atal Ji’s passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me,” Modi said in a tweet Thursday, using a Hindi-language honorific.
“It was Atal Ji’s exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century.”
Vajpayee had battled poor health for years but his condition deteriorated sharply in recent days. The former premier was being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he was admitted nine weeks ago with health complications.
“Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems. Despite the best efforts, we have lost him today,” AIIMS said in a statement.
“We join the nation in deep mourning this great loss.”
His waning health sparked a flurry of visits from top dignitaries Thursday, including Modi and senior cabinet ministers.
Vajpayee, a former journalist, and poet-turned-politician was credited with helping lay the foundations for the meteoric rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the right-wing political powerhouse that rules India today.
Pakistan on Thursday condoled over the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who breathed his last on the day in New Delhi.
“We have learned with sadness the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. The government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the government and people of India,” the Foreign Office said in a press statement.
The Foreign Office spokesman said Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development.
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Imran Khan extended condolences over the sad demise of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
According to a press release issued by party’s Central Media Department here, the Chairman PTI and Prime Minister-designate Imran Khan expressed heartfelt grief over the sad demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
“Sub-continent has lost a phenomenal and a visionary political figure today”, said Chairman PTI.
Lauding his role regarding Pak-India bilateral relations, Imran Khan stated that his contribution will never be forgotten.
As Foreign Minister Mr. Vajpayee strived to open up ways towards normalization of relations among neighboring states and had successfully taken this agenda to the new heights after assuming Office of the Prime Minister, he added.
The Chairman PTI stated that there could be political differences between the two countries however the desire to establish peace existed on both sides of the border. Imran Khan said that former PM’s sad demise had created a vacuum in the political arena of the Sub-Continent. In order to pay homage to his tireless services, he said, “We can resort to the establishment and promotion of peace across the region. I extend sympathies to the people of India in this hour of grief”.
Chairman, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grief and offered condolence over the demise of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
In a condolence message here, the PPP chairman said that late Vajpayee’s efforts for establishing an atmosphere of trust between Pakistan and India will be his lasting legacy.
He hoped that India’s present leadership will exhibit similar intentions and commitment towards sustainable peace in South Asia.
Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Barrister Syed Ali Zafar on Friday said Atal Behari Vajpayee was a man of peace and for the Indian people, he was a sagacious and visionary leader and the people of Pakistan indeed respected such persons. Talking to Media after attending final rites of Atal Behari Vajpayee, he said, “This is a very somber occasion. I am here to offer condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr. Vajpayee, the Government and people of India on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan and to share in their grief.” He said he believed in making SAARC a vehicle for effective progress and development of the region. “He will be missed, we believe that our two countries should move forward to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute peacefully through dialogue. We hope there will be systemic engagement and structured dialogue. I came to share the sentiments of the Pakistani people and I hope there will be different opportunities for future discussions but I have a flight to catch now. I shall leave you with the memory of Mr. Vajpayee’s own words,” the minister said. He quoted Vajpayee as saying India and Pakistan were neighbors and had to live together and both countries should avoid war for the sake of future generations. (Published on 16th August 2018)
