Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that Pakistan’s offer of “friendship” to India should not be considered as its weakness and the Indian leadership should shun “arrogance” to hold peace talks.

Addressing Punjab bureaucracy here on Sunday, Mr. Khan said, “I hope the Indian leadership will shun arrogance and hold (peace) talks with Pakistan. Our offer of friendship should not be considered as our weakness. Friendship between Pakistan and India will help overcome poverty.”

In a sharp reaction to India’s cancellation of a Foreign Minister-level meeting, Mr. Khan on Saturday said that the decision was “arrogant” and asserted that he was “disappointed”.

However, the two major Opposition parties — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — questioned the “haste” shown by Mr. Khan in making efforts to mend ties with India and held him responsible for the “diplomatic debacle”, saying that he should have done his “homework” before approaching for a meeting.

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