As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh consistently worked to establish peace between India and Pakistan.
Lahore: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi. He was 92 years old. Tributes poured in for the ex-PM following his sad demise. On the passing of Dr Singh, the world is remembering his contributions, and neighbouring Pakistan is no exception. As the Prime Minister of India, he consistently worked to establish peace between India and Pakistan, aiming for mutual progress and prosperity. Manmohan Singh made every effort to improve bilateral relations between the two nations, said Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri.
Speaking to news agency PTI on Friday, Kasuri remembered Singh shared fond memories of him. Kasuri noted that Dr Singh will be remembered as a leader dedicated to improving India-Pakistan relations.
Kasuri, who served as Pakistan’s Foreign Minister from November 2002 to November 2007, credited Manmohan Singh for fostering a harmonious environment across the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations. He highlighted that Singh’s famous statement expressing his hope for the day when one could “have breakfast in Amritsar, lunch in Lahore, and dinner in Kabul.”
Kasuri also talked about major progress made during peace talks between the two countries during Manmohan Singh’s tenure. He noted that increased people-to-people contact under Singh’s leadership built mutual trust between the two governments.
The former minister recalled Manmohan Singh’s deep desire to visit his birthplace, Gah, which is in Pakistan’s Chakwal district. Kasuri assured Singh that he would receive a warm welcome in the neighbouring country.
Kasuri expressed hope that someday Singh’s family members would visit his birthplace. He further extended heartfelt condolences to Singh’s family and the people of India.
Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh took his last breath on Thursday at the age of 92. He prominently served India as the Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, leading the government under the banner of the United Progressive Alliance, backed by the Congress. His political career stretches back to many years of committed service as a Member of Parliament. Notably, his tenure as Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996 in the PV Narasimha Rao government is deeply etched in our minds. During this time, he was the primary architect of India’s far-reaching economic reforms.
