Summary A four-member delegation from Pakistan attended the last rites of Vajpayee in New Delhi.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Caretaker Information Minister Ali Zafar on Friday met Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi and extended condolences on the demise of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
A four-member delegation from Pakistan, headed by the information minister, attended the last rites of Vajpayee in New Delhi.
Remembering a visionary who dreamed terror-free and prosperous subcontinent! Pakistan’s caretaker Minister of Law and Justice, Syed Ali Zafar expressed condolences to EAM @SushmaSwaraj on sad demise of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. pic.twitter.com/bcfVJK92n0
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2018
Before his departure from New Delhi, the caretaker minister while talking to media paid tribute to Vajpayee and said they had come to India to extend condolences to the government and people of India from Pakistan.
He said Vajpaee was a peace-loving person and a farsighted and visionary leader, adding that both the countries should resolve their disputes including that of Kashmir through dialogue and peaceful means.
Pakistan expresses grief
Pakistan on Thursday condoled the 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.
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.
