Pakistan condoles death of ex-Indian PM Vajpayee
FO said Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing change in Pak-India relations.
ISLAMABAD (APP) - 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 learnt 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 Foreign Office said in a statement.
“The government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the government and people of India,” it added.
The statement 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.
Imran reacts to Vajpayee’s demise
Prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan Thursday extended condolences over the demise of Vajpayee.
“Sub-continent has lost a phenomenal and a visionary political figure today,” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman said in a statement.
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 normalisation of relations among neighbouring states and had successfully taken this agenda to the new heights after assuming Office of the Prime Minister,” he added.
The PTI chief stated that there could be political differences between the two countries, however, the desire to establish peace existed on both sides of the border.
“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,” he added.
Poor health
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 deeply 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.
With inputs from AFP
