Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday offered condolence at the demise of

former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeand said the best way to honour the "towering leader"
is by establishing peace between India and Pakistan.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last today at Delhi's All India Institute Of
Medical Science. He was 93.

Vajpayee was admitted to the hospital on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, chest congestion and
urine output on the lower side.

In a statement, Khan said Vajpayee was a known and respected political personality of the subcontinent
and his attempts for the betterment of India-Pakistan relationship will always be remembered. He
added that Vajpayee, as a Foreign Minister, took the responsibility of improving India-Pakistan ties.

"As Prime Minister, Vajpayee sahab took the initiative to further improving Indo- Pakistan relations.
With the death of Vajpayee sahab, South Asian politics now left with a huge political vacuum. There can
be political differences but both sides of the border want peace. It is only through establishing peace
that we can really honour the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In this moment of grief following the
demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I stand with the people of India," Khan said in a statement, as quoted by
ANI.

Khan had earlier said that Vajpayee was a "tall political personality of the subcontinent," news agency
ANI reported.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign office in a condolence message said that Vajpayee will be remembered as
a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations.

"We have learnt with sadness the passing away of Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of
India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. Mr. Vajpayee was a renowned
statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key
supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. The Government and people of Pakistan
extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Government and people of India," the
Pakistan Foreign Office statement said, as quoted by ANI.

A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the central government as a mark of respect to
former prime minister. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India.

In his efforts to bring peace between the two countries, Vajpayee had travelled to Lahore in the
inaugural Delhi-Lahore bus service on February 19, 1999 to attend the Lahore Summit. Vajpayee was
received at Wagah by then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday offered condolence at the demise of
former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeand said the best way to honour the "towering leader"
is by establishing peace between India and Pakistan.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last today at Delhi's All India Institute Of
Medical Science. He was 93.

Vajpayee was admitted to the hospital on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, chest congestion and
urine output on the lower side.
In a statement, Khan said Vajpayee was a known and respected political personality of the subcontinent
and his attempts for the betterment of India-Pakistan relationship will always be remembered. He
added that Vajpayee, as a Foreign Minister, took the responsibility of improving India-Pakistan ties.

"As Prime Minister, Vajpayee sahab took the initiative to further improving Indo- Pakistan relations.
With the death of Vajpayee sahab, South Asian politics now left with a huge political vacuum. There can
be political differences but both sides of the border want peace. It is only through establishing peace
that we can really honour the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In this moment of grief following the
demise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I stand with the people of India," Khan said in a statement, as quoted by
ANI.

Khan had earlier said that Vajpayee was a "tall political personality of the subcontinent," news agency
ANI reported.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign office in a condolence message said that Vajpayee will be remembered as
a renowned statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations.

"We have learnt with sadness the passing away of Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of
India, who was undergoing treatment in a hospital in New Delhi. Mr. Vajpayee was a renowned
statesman who contributed to bringing a change in India-Pakistan relations and remained a key
supporter of SAARC and regional cooperation for development. The Government and people of Pakistan
extend their heartfelt condolences to his family and to the Government and people of India," the
Pakistan Foreign Office statement said, as quoted by ANI.

A seven-day state mourning has been announced by the central government as a mark of respect to
former prime minister. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India.

In his efforts to bring peace between the two countries, Vajpayee had travelled to Lahore in the
inaugural Delhi-Lahore bus service on February 19, 1999 to attend the Lahore Summit. Vajpayee was
received at Wagah by then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.