The Hindu : Pak. criticises Narayanan's remarks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2002

Front Page

Front Page

Pak. criticises Narayanan's remarks
By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 26. In a sharp reaction to the observations made by the President, K.R. Narayanan, in his address to the joint session of Parliament on Monday, Pakistan rejected charges of cross-border terrorism.

In a statement here, a spokesman of the Pakistan foreign office said that contrary to the observations made by the President, Islamabad had taken a number of steps to defuse tension and pave the way for resumption of dialogue with India.

``We believe in peaceful resolution of all disputes, including Kashmir. We hope better sense would prevail on the Indian government''.

The Press Secretary to the Pakistan President, Rashid Qureshi, termed the speech as ``unfortunate and disappointing''. He charged the President with having spoken in an aggressive and hostile language.

Maj. Gen. Quereshi said the BJP had conducted the just-concluded election by carrying out ``baseless'' propaganda against Pakistan. ``But, it suffered a humiliating defeat. This proved that the people of India had rejected the hostile posture of the BJP leadership.''

He said that the election outcome was clear indication of the desire of the people of India for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and other issues with Pakistan. ``But, it seems, the Indian leadership has not learnt any lesson from its defeat and rejected the sentiments of its own people.''

On Mr. Narayanan's observations that dialogue and terrorism cannot go hand in hand, Maj. Gen. Quereshi said ``Pakistan rejects these allegations with all force, at its command. Pakistan wants to make it clear that it would never deviate from its principled stand in its fight against terrorism and curbing of extremism. No tactics of India would ever succeed in intimidating Pakistan''.

He said the international community had already condemned the aggressive posture adopted by India, by advising New Delhi to enter into a dialogue with Pakistan, and desist from escalating tension or resorting to any act of adventurism.

Maj. Gen. Qureshi said Pakistan would never hold talks on the terms dictated by India. Such conditions, he said, did not reflect India's sincerity; rather they carried New Delhi's vested interests.

The spokesman said, ``in fact, the expectations of the Indian people stand frustrated on the actions of the BJP leadership.''

He said if the Indian Government was interested in the peace and stability of South Asia, the President would have advised his Government to withdraw its forces from the borders and immediately resume talks with Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute.

In a separate statement, another government spokesman said Pakistan had already taken ``a series of steps'' to curb extremism and combat terrorism, and its bold resolve has already won acclaim internationally.

``It's amusing to hear from India that Pakistan has done nothing to warrant de-escalation at the border. Pakistan wants lessening of tension, but the ball is now in the Indian court,'' he said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Nitish tough on II class passengers

Reforms run out of steam?

Mulayam elected leader, is hopeful

Mantle for 'Maharaja'

We'll maintain status quo on Ayodhya: Govt.

Pak. ready to negotiate extradition treaty

Chandrika against pact

'No FDI in print media'

Pak. criticises Narayanan's remarks

India dismisses Pak criticism