Published 09:54 IST, March 26th 2019

Congress ally Omar Abdullah hails Imran Khan over Sharda Peeth corridor decision and seeks post-election India-Pak comprehensive dialogue, remains silent on forced conversions of minor girls even as Sushma Swaraj exposes Pakistan's hypocrisy

At a time when Pakistan is facing flak for not taking any substantive action regarding two Hindu girls, aged 13 and 15, being forcibly converted into Islam, one of Congress' allies has chosen to gloss over this and praise Pak PM Imran Khan for his decision to open the Sharda Peeth corridor.

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Congress ally Omar Abdullah hails Imran Khan over Sharda Peeth corridor decision and seeks post-election India-Pak comprehensive dialogue, remains silent on forced conversions of minor girls even as Sushma Swaraj exposes Pakistan's hypocrisy

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At a time when Pakistan is facing flak for not taking any substantive action regarding two Hindu girls, aged 13 and 15, being forcibly converted into Islam, one of Congress' allies has chosen to gloss over this and praise Pak PM Imran Khan for his decision to open the Sharda Peeth corridor.

Former J&K CM and NC leader Omar Abdullah has lauded Imran Khan and suggested that this should pave way for a 'comprehensive dialogue' - essentially pre-defined talks including on Kashmir - between the two countries post the Lok Sabha elections in India.

It’s good to see @ImranKhanPTI take decisions that have been held up for years. Allowing greater people to people contact & opening routes to religious pilgrims are always welcome developments that help to ease tensions. https://t.co/ZybFnlJvAD
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 26, 2019

One can only hope that in a post May 23rd India these steps will be reciprocated by the central government & we can move towards resuming the comprehensive dialogue between India & Pakistan.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 26, 2019

After the welcome announcement to open the Sharda Peeth corridor to religious pilgrims by @ImranKhanPTI we hope the government in Pakistan will only announce the Kargil-Skardu road as also other routes to facilitate greater people to people contact.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 26, 2019

While on one side, the NC leader chose to commend Pakistan and its Prime Minister over recent development, on the other, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj has taken on Imran Khan over the forced conversion and marriage and demanded that the girls be restored to their families:

Forced conversion of Hindu girls in Pakistan : The age of the girls is not disputed. Raveena is only 13 and Reena is 15 years old. /1
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 26, 2019

Even the Prime Minister on Naya Pakistan will not believe that girls of this tender age can voluntarily decide about their conversion to another religion and marriage. /2
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 26, 2019

Justice demands that both these girls should be restored to their family immediately. /3
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) March 26, 2019

The Congress and the NC sealed an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections in J&K on Wednesday, with the Congress fielding candidates from two seats of Jammu division and extending support to the candidature of Farooq Abdullah from Srinagar, while choosing to go for a "friendly contest" in the remaining three seats of Anantnag, Baramulla and Ladakh.

Updated 12:33 IST, March 26th 2019