Date:14/05/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/14/stories/2003051403161200.htm

National

Vajpayee, a man for peace: Pak. MPs

Kolkata May 13. The visiting three-member parliamentary delegation from Pakistan today said that the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, was the best person to negotiate peace between the two countries.

``There is no doubt that Mr. Vajpayee is the best person to solve the hostilities, as he is a man of peace and a strong leader,'' said Pakistan's ruling Muslim League member, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, at a meet-the-press programme. ``For peace you need a strong leader and we think that Mr. Vajpayee is one. So is our Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali and the President, Pervez Musharraf,'' he said. His party colleague M.P. Bhandara and Shakila Rashid (PPP) were also present.

The MPs criticised the role of Lashkar-e-Taiba and said Pakistan was as much against terrorism as India. ``The Lashkar is under heavy scrutiny in our country. It has killed our men too. How can we support it?'' asked Mr. Bhandara.

``People and the Governments of both countries want peace and friendship but terrorism is the real enemy,'' he said. — UNI