CONG-PM 2 LAST

Surjewala said that in August, 2006, the UPA had spoken Surjewala said that in August, 2006, the UPA had spokenabout the unfortunate killing of the veteran Baloch leader,Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, describing it as a "tragic loss" tothe people of Balochistan and Pakistan. It had underlined theneed for a peaceful dialogue to address the grievances andaspirations of people of Balochistan, noting that "militaryforce can never solve political problems", he said. Besides, he said, a reference to Balochistan alsoappeared in the joint statement dated July 16, 2009 atSharm-el-Sheikh when Pakistan "conceded for the first time"its role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack as also recognisedthe overwhelming evidence handed over by India. "It is a different matter that BJP, which was then inopposition, had bitterly attacked Manmohan Singh, the then PM,and UPA for compromising India’s position," he said, addingeven at that time, Balochistan leaders had thanked Singh andthe UPA government for raising the issue. Raising a number of questions about the Prime Minister’sremarks, Surjewala wondered how does he propose to take theissue of human rights violations in PoK and Balochistanfurther? What is his government’s policy as also ‘way forward’on the issue? "Has the Prime Minister raised the issue of these humanrights violations even once in bilateral talks with Pakistanover last 24 months?" he asked. He asked whether the government would take it up noweither in bilateral dialogue or at another internationalforum. Claiming that Modi’s "flip-flops" on Pakistan have becomelegendary, he said suddenly the Prime Minister and hisgovernment have started speaking in a different languagewithout following up on the issue of punishing theperpetrators of terror attacks in Pathankot, Udhampur andPampore. Surjewala said the Prime Minister should immediately takestock of the alarming situation in Kashmir and provide themuch required healing touch. "The Prime Minister, who even indulges in the symbolismof observing Diwali in Kashmir, has not found time to visitJ&K even once, although 65 people have died and nearly 3,000injured since the latest episode of unprecedented violence inKashmir Valley," he said. PTI SPG SMN SKSMN