LAHORE: Federal Minister Ishaq Dar today said that Indian Prime Minister’s visit was not scheduled, and should be taken as a positive step.

The Minister welcomed Narendra Modi’s visit, while addressing a conference in the federal capital. Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi today landed in Pakistan for a brief visit on his way back to New Delhi from Afghanistan.

Modi was touring Afghanistan on December 25, where he met President Ashraf Ghani and stated that Pakistan would play a key role in restoration of peace in the region. The Indian PM also addressed Afghanistan Parliament, during his visit.

Modi had wished Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday yesterday in a message on social media website. In another tweet, Modi stated that he would drop by Lahore to see Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz walks hand-in-hand with Modi after welcoming him at Lahore airport. Foreign Office (FO) stated that Modi’s visit was not scheduled however, he would visit Pakistan today. Prime Minister Nawaz welcomed his Indian counterpart at Allama Iqbal International Airport among federal ministers including Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The premiers then moved to Jati Umra where they convened a meeting for one and a half hour. The meeting saw vows to strengthen ties between the two nations and lessen tensions.

Nawaz Sharif saw his Indian counterpart off at the Lahore airport later in the evening. After leaving for Indian capital, Modi stated on social media that it was great seeing Nawaz and the ongoing celebrations in Jati Umra for Nawaz’s granddaughter’s wedding made the meeting even joyous.

Some sections have criticized Modi’s arrival on Quaid-e-Azam Day. Jamaat-e-Ilsami (JI) rallied against Modi-Nawaz meeting while Sirajul Haq said that Prime Minister should not have shook hands with the ‘enemy.’

The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by then leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.