Date:05/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/05/stories/2009010555711000.htm

National

Advani hopes global pressure will force Pakistan to act

Manas Dasgupta

Denies reports that he has differences with Rajnath

AHMEDABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani on Sunday expressed the hope that this time the world community would force Pakistan to take steps to dismantle the terror network on its soil.

Talking to journalists here during his one-day visit to Gujarat, Mr. Advani said Pakistan was badly “exposed” before the world and hoped that international pressure would force it to take steps to stop such activities from its soil. To a question, Mr. Advani said the Centre was taking necessary steps and “our Home Minister is also doing a lot” to expose Pakistan’s misdeeds before the world community.

Regarding the BJP’s stand on the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Mr. Advani said representatives of NDA constituents would meet in Delhi on Monday to discuss all aspects. But, he said that generally the BJP was in favour of a Central agency to probe terror attacks and strengthening of the existing Acts or enactment of a stricter law to deal with terrorists.

Earlier, Mr. Advani attended a function at Gandhinagar, his Lok Sabha constituency, for the inauguration of a Rs. 4-crore Primary Teachers’ Research Centre. Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced the State government’s resolve to set up an Indian Institute of Teachers’ Training to produce quality teachers. Mr. Advani appreciated the steps taken by the Modi government in the field of education, particularly for strengthening girls’ education.