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Suspend Dialogue Process With Pakistan: India's Opposition Party

By Fayaz Wani

India's largest opposition party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today demanded suspension of the dialogue process with Pakistan.

Senior leader of the right wing group and former aviation minister of India, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain today said, "There is no point in talking to Pakistan about the resolution of Kashmir issue at this moment as the country is struggling for its survival".

"At a time when random blasts are taking place across Pakistan and no city is safe in the country, talking with Pakistani president, Parvez Musharraf is wastage of time and nothing else", the BJP leader said adding, "At present Musharraf is busy in saving his chair and as such there is no logic in continuation of dialogue process with such a leader, who is facing the biggest challenge of his era".

The former Indian aviation members said, "Previously only Karachi city in Pakistan was disturbed, but now the whole country including Lahore are disturbed and bomb blasts and suicide attacks are taking place everywhere. In fact, at present Pakistan is one of the most disturbed areas in the world. Under such a situation, there is no fun in continuing the dialogue process.

It is pertinent to mention here that the peace process between India and Pakistan took shape after BJP leader and then Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee offered a hand of friendship to Pakistan from Srinagar on April 18, 2003. The Pakistani president, Parvez Musharraf responded immediately and began the peace process.

The BJP leader said, "When we were in power in India, we showed courage to start the dialogue process with Pakistan. Now, Pakistan's own house is not in order and they cannot focus on the dialogue process. They would like to solve their internal crisis first and would give top priority to it. For the time being, the dialogue process with Pakistan should be suspended".

The dialogue process, according to BJP leader, needs a conducive atmosphere, which is not available in Pakistan at present.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.