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Hindu extremists' attack on Lahore-bound bus widely condemned

ISLAMABAD: The attack on the Lahore-bound bus in Phagwara district in northern India, drew widespread condemnation from people of all hues on Sunday, who urged the world to take note of Indian fundamentalism and intolerance.

The people, including prominent politicians, termed the attack by Shiv Sena activists as a ploy to vitiate atmosphere ahead of US President Clinton's visit to the region.

Chief of the Pakistan Awami Qiadat Party Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg (Retd) on Sunday termed the attack a result of BJP leaders' aggressive statements.

The former Chief of the Army Staff said New Delhi should give up its bellicosity and "enter into dialogue with Pakistan Ñ the differences should not be ignited they should be resolved Ñ specially the key Kashmir issue."

Chief of the Muslim League (Qasim Group), Kabir Ali Wasti condemned the attack on passengers, saying the incident is yet another incident from India which hampers peace in South Asia.

Central Information Secretary of the Awami National Party (ANP), Haji Mohammad Adeel in Peshawar, condemned the attack, saying that such incidents can further provoke the situation between India and Pakistan.

Syed Iqbal Haider, President of Muslim Welfare Movement (MWM) said in Karachi that the world must note the timing of the incident as it occurred only a fortnight before President Clinton's visit to South Asia.

AJK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mehmood has condemned Hindu fundamentalist's attack on the Pakistan-bound bus.

"The incident reflects the extremist and violent approach of the ruling Indian government to all issues and points to the extent, the Indian forces have gone in their atrocities in the occupied Kashmir," he said in a statement.

AJK APHC Convenor, Syed Yousaf Nasim slammed New Delhi for attacking the bus.

"India's extremism has destroyed the peace of the region Ñ Shiv Sena and the BJP are the same things Ñ they have destroyed mosques and their act of terrorism in Lanjot, Nakial, should make clear to the world."

The NWFP Minister for Religious Affairs Qari Roohullah Madani has condemned attack on the bus by Hindus.

Qari Roohullah told APP, that an attack on tourists was an indecent and immoral act.

He said it is the responsibility of Indian government to provide safety to the passengers of Pakistan-Delhi bus service. The attack, he continued, has manifested the incompetence of Indian government in performance of its duties.

Prominent trade unionist and a leader of PPP Habibuddin Junaidi on Sunday condemned the attack on the bus by Hindu extremists.

He said successive Indian governments fanned anti-Pakistani feelings. The tension between the two countries rises, whenever the BJP comes to power in India and it leaves no opportunity to conduct offensive propaganda against Pakistan.

The BJP and RSS are the two sides of same coin and they are basically anti-Pakistan to the core because Independence of Muslims from Hindu India haunts Hindus extremist even after 52 years of partition, he said.

"The Saturday attack on Pakistani bus in Indian Punjab by Hindu zealots is reflective of Indian antagonistic attitude towards its neighbouring countries especially Pakistan" Naib Amir (Deputy Chief) Jamaat-e-Islami, Liaquat Baloch, said while talking to APP.

He said the government should also review the Lahore Declaration and other documents signed by the previous government with India during Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to Lahore last year. APP