Pakistan condoles Vajpayee's death, Imran Khan says void in South Asian politics
New Delhi, Aug 16 : Pakistan on Thursday condoled the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee describing him as a renowned statesman, with the incoming Prime Minister of the country Imran Khan saying his death has left a void in South Asian politics.
"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 Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.
"Vajpayee was a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key supporter of Saarc (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) and regional cooperation for development," it stated.
"The government and people of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the government and people of India."
In a separate statement, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who is set to take oath as Pakistan's Prime Minister on Saturday after his Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the largest party after last month's general elections, described Vajpayee's demise as a void in South Asian politics.
"There is a void in the politics of South Asia after his death," the statement quoted Khan as saying in a statement.
"There can be political differences but the desire of peace remains present across the border. We stand with India in this difficult time."
Vajpayee and then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were signatories to the historic Lahore Declaration of February 1999 that reached a mutual understanding towards the development of atomic arsenals and to avoid accidental and unauthorised operational use of nuclear weapons.
The Declaration brought added responsibility to both nations' leadership towards avoiding nuclear race, as well as both non-conventional and conventional conflicts.
Vajpayee, 93, passed away at AIIMS here on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness.
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Mehbooba seeks release of people arrested for 'peaceful' protests against Khamenei's killing
Srinagar (PTI): Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged the Jammu and Kashmir Police to release those arrested for staging protests in the Valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28.
“Scores of protesters, including women, have been arrested across Kashmir for peacefully participating in rallies in the wake of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's martyrdom.
“Authorities had assured their families that they would be released soon. But, unfortunately, this hasn't been the case. Urge Jammu and Kashmir Police to consider their release at the earliest,” Mufti said in a post on X.
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Kashmir, which is home to about 15 lakh Shias, saw major protests at the Lal Chowk and Saida Kadal in Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama after the news of Khamenei's killing spread, forcing the authorities to impose restrictions, which were lifted on Saturday morning.
While the protests were largely peaceful, minor clashes broke out at a few places between the security forces and the protesters, prompting the former to use force to maintain law and order.
The US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.
Following the military offensive, Iran has carried out a wave of attacks mainly targeting Israeli and American military bases in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
In the last few days, the conflict has widened significantly with attacks and counter-attacks by both sides.
