Dr Manmohan Singh’s passing a ‘great loss to nation’: Prof Soz

Srinagar, Dec 27: Indian National Congress (INC) senior leader Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today expressed sadness over passing of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and termed his demise a “great loss to the nation”.

Recollection his association with the deceased former prime minister, the senior INC leader Prof Soz said that after attending a meeting of the cabinet in July 2007, I followed Dr Manmohan Singh to his office chambers where we sat for some time.

“During the discussion, I broached the subject relating to his plan of visit Pakistan on the invitation of the then President Parvez Musharraf. Dr Singh lamented the fact that President Musharraf had suggested postponement of the visit due to the fact that he had, first of all, to settle the dispute pertaining to Lal Masjid and needs some time for a decisive dialogue with the agitating lawyers,” Prof Soz recounted.

He said that Singh’s hope for a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan PM Parvez Musharraf died-down over a period of time. “Unfortunately, his (Musharraf’s) ‘Next Month’ for an appropriate dialogue never came and India and Pakistan continued to be where they were,” Soz said and added, “Singh’s desire for a decisive dialogue with Pakistan never materialized”.

Paying tribute to his contributions towards nation, Prof Soz maintained that former Prime Minister’s passing is a great loss to the nation.

He expressed his sympathy with Madam Gursharan Kaur, and daughters of the deceased prime minister.

“May his soul rest in peace,” Prof Soz added.