LAHORE: Former Indian cricket star Navjot Singh Sidhu went shopping and met some political figures and cricketers before leaving for his home across the Wagah border on Sunday.

Mr Sidhu, who had come here two days ago to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan in Islamabad, went to the Taxali Gate to purchase local special tillay walay shoes for himself and his family. He refused to accept the shoes for free as a gift by the shopkeeper and insisted to pay for the purchase.

The citizens who were pleasantly shocked to see Mr Sidhu, who is a well-known figure among TV viewers because of his comedy show for an Indian channel, took selfies with him.

Earlier in the day, he cancelled his Meet the Press event of the Lahore Press Club for unknown reasons and instead went to meet governor-designate Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar at a local café here.

Showing his gratitude for the love and affection showed by all segments of society in Pakistan, he left for India through Wagah border in the afternoon.

A statement issued on behalf of Chaudhry Sarwar said the governor-designate told the Indian guest that Kashmir is the most important issue of the region needed to be resolved at the earliest. “We want peaceful bilateral relations with the neighbours but we can’t compromise on the Kashmir issue and national interests.”

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2018