Delhi, India

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday defended cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and thanked him for attending his oath-taking ceremony. Khan called Sidhu an "ambassador of peace". 

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"I want to thank Sidhu for coming to Pakistan for my oath taking ceremony. He was an ambassador of peace and was given amazing love and affection by the people of Pakistan," Khan tweeted.

Pak PM also noted that those who have been targeting Sidhu "are doing a great disservice to peace in the subcontinent. Without peace, our people cannot progress".

Khan also called for a dialogue to bring peace and resolve conflicts.

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"To move forward Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts incl Kashmir: The best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue and start trading," read the tweet.

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Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu attended Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan on Saturday in Islamabad.

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Sidhu has been at the centre of a controversy for sitting next to PoK President Masood Khan and for hugging Pak Army Chief General Bajwa at Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony.

Sidhu on Tuesday defended himself saying that he went to the ceremony only after the Indian government's approval. 

"I received invitation 10 times. Then I sought permission from the Indian government, I didn't get permission & was waiting. 2 days after Pakistan government gave the visa, Sushma Swaraj Ji herself called me in the night & informed that I have been given permission," he claimed.