'Was it a private visit or something else?': Pijush Hazarika asks Gaurav Gogoi about Pakistan trip

Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika has called on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to publicly clarify the nature of his recent visit to Pakistan, raising questions about whether the trip was private or official business.

 

The demand comes as Hazarika challenged the Jorhat MP to provide transparency about his travel to the neighbouring country, citing Gogoi's regular involvement in national political discourse.

 

"He should come out and explain why he went to Pakistan. Was it a private visit or something else? Was it in the public domain? The people of Assam and the country deserve an answer," Hazarika stated Thursday, emphasising the need for the Congress leader to address the matter directly.

 

The Assam minister referenced Gogoi's active political engagement, noting his frequent commentary on national issues as the reason for demanding accountability on the Pakistan visit.

 

Earlier last week, Hazarika revisited a 2022 social media post by Gogoi that had drawn attention during India-Pakistan cricket matches. The Congress MP had expressed concern for Pakistani flood victims while simultaneously celebrating India's cricket victory over Pakistan.

 

"While we celebrate the victory of our Indian cricket team over Pakistan, we must not forget the humanitarian disaster that has claimed 1000 lives in our neighbouring country. Unprecedented flooding has destroyed towns and homes. Pakistani people need urgent relief and support," Gogoi had written at the time.

 

Hazarika criticised this stance as "misplaced empathy," suggesting Gogoi had "repeatedly positioned himself closer to Pakistan than to patriotic sentiments."