Lahore, November 29: Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu seems to have become controversy's favourite child over the past few months. Sidhu has become the centre of yet another row after Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla posted a photograph with him on the social media. On Wednesday at the Kartarpur corridor inauguration event in Lahore, Chawla was also seen with Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who had received a hug from Sidhu during Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony earlier this year. Kartarpur Corridor: Indian Delegation Returns, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Takes Jibe at Navjot Sidhu-Imran Khan Bonhomie.

Chawla is known to be close to Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Hafiz Saeed. His name also came up during the investigation into the November 18 attack in Amritsar.

Sidhu has been mired by controversies ever since he went to Pakistan to attend "friend" Imran Khan's swearing-in ceremony. On Wednesday, during the Kartarpur event, Sidhu was full of praises for Imran Khan and vice versa.

Sidhu showered heaps of praises for is "yaar-dildaar", the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, crediting him for ending the 70-year-old wait for Sikh pilgrims. Sidhu recited a poetry honouring Khan as a leader who could end the decades of hostility between India and Pakistan.

On the other hand, Imran Khan said that the senior Congress leader has gained popularity in India to an extent where he could win an election. Khan also expressed disappointment over Sidhu's criticism by the Indian media, calling it unfair and unsubstantiated.

"I don't know why was Sidhu criticised (in India). He was just talking about peace. He can come and contest election here in Pakistan's Punjab, he'll win," Khan said at the Kartarpur corridor foundation stone laying ceremony.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 29, 2018 10:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).