I want to thank Sidhu for coming to Pakistan for my oath taking. He was an ambassador of peace & was given amazing… https://t.co/QwKdf5GhJ4 — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) 1534842713000

NEW DELHI: Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday defended his visit to Pakistan, saying that efforts to strike peace with Pakistan have been made in the past as well, and his visit was no different.The Congress leader also defended his hug with Pakistan army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, saying that the hug was an "emotional" response after Bajwa informed him that his country's government is making efforts to open the corridor to Kartarpur Sahib."Efforts for peace have been made in the past as well. Late Vajpayee ji had taken 'dosti bus' to Lahore and also invited Musharraf. PM Narendra Modi had invited (the then Prime Minister of Pakistan) Nawaz Sharif for his oath-taking ceremony, he also made an impromptu stopover in Lahore," the cricketer-turned-politician said in a press conference today.An hour after Sidhu's address to the media, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan , in a tweet, thanked him for attending his oath-taking ceremony and said that people attacking him in India are doing a "great disservice" to the prospects of peace in the subcontinent.Sidhu has been facing flak after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan last week.Shortly after Sidhu's press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra lashed out, saying that the Congress president cannot run a "parallel government" in the country."Rahul ji you cannot run a parallel government in this country. Diplomacy is the prerogative of the central government. Any decision pertaining to the well being of the country will be taken by the government at Centre and not at the state, let alone a minister in the state cabinet," Patra said.Patra further added that Sidhu's visit looked like an attempt to "implicate India"."Sidhu's visit to Pakistan gave an impression that whatever is happening between India-Pakistan, it is the responsibility of India. Nobody has said no to peace. India has always stood for peace. But if someone tries to stab India in the back it will not be accepted," Patra slammed Sidhu.During his visit to Pakistan, Sidhu had stoked a controversy after he was photographed hugging Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and sitting beside the 'president' of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) during the event.Today, Sidhu, addressed the media, to clarify his stand.The Congress leader said that his seating-arrangement was changed at the last minute. “Five minutes before the start of the ceremony, I was informed that I would be sitting in the front row,” he said.Sidhu also clarified that he was extended invitation, to attend Khan's swearing in ceremony, "at least ten times"."I received invitation ten times. Then I sought permission from Indian government, I didn't get permission and was waiting. Two days after Pakistan government gave visa, Sushma Swaraj Ji herself called me in the night and informed that I have been given permission," he added.On Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s criticism, Sidhu said: "Many people from Congress have spoken on this including Captain Sahab. It’s a democracy and everyone has the right to their opinion."Lashing out at Sidhu over hugging the Pakistan army chief, Amarinder Singh on Sunday had said that it was wrong of the minister to have shown affection towards General Bajwa. "Every day, our jawans are getting martyred. To hug their army chief, I am against this. The fact is that the man should understand that our soldiers are being killed every day," he said.Sidhu, on return his return from Pakistan, had justified the hug. "He came up to me. First thing, he is a Jat like the Cheemas, Sandhus, Sidhus. All the three chiefs of Pakistan defence forces came to meet people sitting in front row. Bajwa walked up to me and said he is a general who wanted to be a cricketer. He was very warm and said he wanted peace," explained Sidhu after crossing the border.