M A I N   N E W S

Fazlur Rahman backtracks on LoC remarks
Varinder Walia and Rashmi Talwar

Wagah (Amritsar), July 24
Maulana Fazlur Rahman leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Pakistan, today evaded the issue of condemnation of recent killings in Katra and Akhnoor sectors believed to be the handiwork of Pakistan-backed terrorists. Instead he shot back “we don’t know the culprits! First the culprits must be identified” said the president of the pro-Taliban political party Mutahida-e-Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on his return journey to Pakistan via the Indo-Pakistan joint check post (JCP) here today.

Meanwhile, contrary to his leader’s stand Maulana Hafiz Hussain Ahmad MP from Quetta also part of delegation condemned the killings and said Islam did not preach or permit shedding blood of anyone. In a volte-face Mr Hafiz denied the recognition of LoC as international border and said the media misreported their statement. He clarified that the LoC could never be recognised as international border as Kashmir was the most contentious issue between the two countries. He said “lack of trust” was the main hurdle between them but expressed the hope that it could be resolved by peaceful means of dialogue.

On their sudden’ softening of stand on India Mr Hafiz said the scenario had changed drastically today as compared to 50 years ago. Avoiding direct criticism of the USA as a third party mediator between Indo-Pakistan dispute Mr Hafiz said “India Pakistan need each other more”. However, avoiding a pro India line on the last leg of their visit before returning home, the MP said a third party could also mediate for solving the Indo-Pakistan dispute.

The Pakistan parliamentarian admitted their meeting with the militant organisation Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaz Farooq and said that India should also hold talks with the Hurriyat leaders on Kashmir issue. The delegation many times talked of Kashmir as the only issue to resolve Indo-Pakistan stand-off permanently.

The Maulana welcomed efforts of “joint Indo Pak candle lit vigil on independence day eve” but did not commit his participation. He said they had been assured by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to visit Pakistan in January for the SAARC summit which would be another step towards peace. He said the delegation would present a record of their India-visit in the National Assembly before Pakistan’s Parliament and try to change public perception in favour of peace as India’s response to their peace overtures had been tremendous. On the failure of peace talks time and again the Member of Parliament said efforts should continue in this direction. He said the bullet was not a solution and neither Pakistan nor India would listen to the language of bullets. He denied existence of madrasas in Pakistan imparting terrorist training.

Meanwhile Mr Mahammod Asad Madani, general secretary Jamait Uloma-i-Hind hosts to the Pakistan delegation said that the four members of parliamentarians enjoyed mass base in Pakistan. He said they controlled the north western frontier province (NWFP) and Baluchistan but admitted they (delegation) had no say in Muzzafrabad, Kashmir or border areas with India. He said that the need to be “acceptable to their own public in Pakistan” has prompted the Maulana not to condemn the recent brutal killings openly. He expressed ignorance over the delegation’s connection with any militant outfits. Mr Gul Naseeb Khan and Quazi Hamid Ullah were the other two MPs in the Pakistan’s delegation that returned to Pakistan today.