Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday hit out at those who had criticised him for hugging Pakistan Army chief General Bajwa in Islamabad.
Addressing a press conference here, Sidhu said Gen Bajwa warmly met him barely for a minute before the swearing-in started and he did not meet him later.
The minister said he got emotional for a moment. He said his seat was changed at the last minute and he did not know who sat next to him.
He said Prime minister Narendra Modi was also welcomed in Pakistan when he went there to meet Nawaz Sharif.
He said his visit was a tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who wanted peace between the two nations.
Sidhu said he received a lot of love and affection in Pakistan and was disappointed by some of the reactions.
The former cricketer said he would not speak against Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who had disapproved of the act.
Sidhu said he repeatedly received the invitation from Imran Khan and sought permission from the government. Two days after Pakistan gave him the visa, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called him and said that he had been given the permission, he added.
