M A I N   N E W S

Time for final decision on Indo-Pak issues, says PM

Lucknow, May 21
Asserting that time had come for a “final decision” on resolving Indo-Pak issues, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee asked Islamabad today to show no softness towards terrorist organisations and to take action against them for creating a conducive atmosphere for a bilateral dialogue.

Referring to the reported curbs imposed by the Pakistan Government on militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Mr Vajpayee said at a press conference here that he hoped that the decision would be “sincerely implemented.”

Asking Pakistan to put an end to cross-border terrorism and to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil, he said the latest round of killings of family members in Rajouri was a warning that terrorism was yet to be eliminated.

Mr Vajpayee said Pakistan should take appropriate steps for the resolution of problems with India in the context of the changed international situation.

He refuted allegations that he was taking the peace initiative under international pressure and criticised

Congress President Sonia Gandhi for levelling “such a wrong charge.”

He ruled out the possibility of early elections to the Lok Sabha. “There is no such proposal before us,” he told reporters here in reply to questions. He was answering a question whether the next Lok Sabha poll would be advanced.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones of a number of development projects on the banks of the Gomti.

He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre had never resorted to a biased attitude in the allotment of funds for development schemes in the states.

The Prime Minister later left for New Delhi. Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri, Chief Minister Mayawati and BJP leaders were among those present at the airport to see off the Prime Minister.

During his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, Mr Vajpayee participated in several functions and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore for the state capital. He also flagged off Air-India’s inaugural Lucknow-Jeddah flight. PTI, UNI