Islamabad: Condoling the death of former Indian premier IK Gujral, Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf has recalled the "admirable role" he played in bringing the two countries closer and said the region had lost a noble and distinguished politician.
"We would like to express our heart-felt condolences to the government and the people of India and members of the grieved family on this sad occasion," said Ashraf in a message to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.
Ashraf described Gujral as a man of extra-ordinary abilities and a visionary leader and said he would be remembered for the "admirable role that he played to bring India and Pakistan closer".
Ashraf said the region has lost "a noble and distinguished politician" in his death.
92-year-old Gujral died in a private hospital in New Delhi yesterday after a multi-organ failure. He was admitted to the hospital on November 19 with a lung infection.
Gujral was born on December 4, 1919 in Jhelum town now in Pakistan, and was educated in Lahore before crossing over to India after partition.
Twice a foreign minister, Gujral authored a foreign policy doctrine called the "Gujral Doctrine" -- a set of principles to guide the conduct of foreign relations with India`s immediate neighbours -- which was widely acclaimed not only in India but also outside.
PTI
