Imran Khan backs Sidhu, says those targeting him are doing a disservice to peace

Islamabad, Aug 21: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu ambassador of peace and said those who are targeting him for visiting Pakistan are doing great disservice to peace in the subcontinet.

"I want to thank Sidhu for coming to Pakistan for my oath taking. He was an ambassador of peace and was given amazing love and affection by ppl of Pakistan. Those in India who targeted him are doing a gt disservice to peace in the subcontinent," he said in Tweet.

Stressing the need for dialogue between the two countries , he said without peace people of Pakistan and Indian could not progress.

His remarks came shortly after Congress leader and Punjab minister Sidhu, facing criticism for hugging Pakistan's army chief, said on Tuesday the gesture was made in an "emotional moment" and that his trip was not politically motivated.

"Pakistan army chief said they were making efforts to open corridor to Kartarpur Sahib, what followed was an emotional moment," Sidhu told reporters.

Sidhu said today that his visit to Pakistan was not "political" but just on a "warm invitation from a friend", in a bid to clarify his decision to visit the neighbouring country and hug its Army chief.

Sidhu attended the swearing-in ceremony of his friend former Cricketer Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in Islamabad on August 18.

"My brief visit to Pakistan has emerged a big talking point. In this regard, I would definitely like to clear certain things. The visit to Pakistan was not political in any way but just a warm invitation from a friend (Imran Khan). That friend, who went through immense hard work and struggle in life. The one, who reached a position, which is respected and holds capability of changing fate of crores of people, he said in his opening statement during a press conference here.