Sidhu's photo with pro-Khalistan activist sparks new controversy

The photo, taken during Sidhu's visit to Pakistan, was uploaded by Chawla on his Facebook page.

Subsequently, the BJP launched an attack on Sidhu, with Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticizing the Punjab minister for his "malicious tactics on Pakistani soil".

For those unaware, Chawla heads the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and is also believed to have close ties with terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

Sidhu was also attacked by Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who also attended the Kartarpur ceremony in Pakistan.

Badal criticized Sidhu for his ebullient praise of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during the ceremony, and also lashed out at the Punjab minister over Khan's comment that he could contest elections in Pakistan's Punjab province, and win.

Sidhu's controversial streak began in August when the cricketer-turned-politician went to attend the oath taking ceremony of Imran Khan.

At the ceremony, a beaming Sidhu was seen hugging Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Photos and videos of the hug quickly went viral, and Sidhu faced criticism for hugging the 'enemy'.

He was also slapped with sedition charges for the hug.

However, after the oath-taking ceremony Sidhu had justified his actions, saying that General Bajwa, a Jat like himself, "was very warm" and "wanted peace".

Additionally, Sidhu had said that General Bajwa had promised to open the Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur) corridor on Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary.

"When someone takes the name of Baba Nanak, then he has offered you everything," Sidhu had explained.