Ex-Pakistan Army chief praises Modi for austere living

Islamabad: A former Pakistani army chief Sunday praised Narendra Modi, set to be India`s new prime minister, for austere living - in contrast to Pakistani politicians. Mirza Aslam Beg said in an article in The Nation newspaper that India and Pakistan were not addressing the issues of corruption, poverty, social disparities and security on priority. 

"The stark reality that catches the eye and affects our minds and hearts is the big difference in outlook in life which exists between Modi and our leaders who are richly rich, trying to get richer, while Modi with an humble social background, lives a simple life in harmony with the suffering masses, whose lives he promises to lift," Beg said.  "Modi has embraced our Islamic traditions of austere living whereas our rulers are basking under the sunshine of the exploitive capitalism," he added.