Advani criticises PM's silence on Indo-Pak Jt Statement

Senior BJP leader L K Advani on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not making any reference to Indo-Pak joint statement in his Independence Day address, saying he was now realising he could not defend the mention of Balochistan in the document.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not making any reference to Indo-Pak joint statement in his Independence Day address, saying he was now realising he could not defend the mention of Balochistan in the document.

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"Balochistan was mentioned in the joint statement in a manner as if India is also using terrorism to create problems for Pakistan. The country hoped the Prime Minister would clarify on it in his address," Advani said.

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, "his silence shows he is realising now that there is no defence of this step".

Advani said the fight against terrorism should be accorded top priority.

BJP had raised serious objections, both inside and outside the Parliament, to the mention of Balochistan in the joint statement in Egypt and the delinking of terror from the composite dialogue with the neighbouring country.