07/31/2018
New Delhi, July 31: Days after former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan emerged as the top contender for the Pakistan prime minister’s job in the elections held on July 25, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached out to him.
Modi spoke to Imran Khan, chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party, that emerged as the largest party defeating Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN and Bilawal Bhutto’s PPP in the recent polls.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated him for his party emerging as the largest political party in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
“Prime Minister Modi expressed hope that democracy will take deeper roots in Pakistan. He also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighborhood,” said an official statement.
Earlier on Saturday, in a measured response, Indian Ministry Of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had underlined the need for the new Pakistan regime to crack on terror outfits.
“We hope that the new Government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia free of terror and violence,” said Kumar. THE TRIBUNE