Pakistan should hand over Saeed to improve ties, BJP says

CHANDIGARH: Until Pakistan hands over LeT founder Hafiz Saeed to India bitterness in ties between the two countries cannot end, BJP today said. "We favour better India-Pakistan relations, but want the neighbouring nation to address the core issue of terror that includes handing over Hafiz Saeed and others responsible for Mumbai terror attacks," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told a news conference here.

Hussain said Saeed was "enjoying patronage of ISI and Pakistan Army, and was giving anti-India statements without any fear". "Talk of better relations with India when Pakistan is extending patronage to a person like Saeed cannot go hand-in-hand. Pakistan must hand him over to us along with others whose names figure in the 'list of wanted' India has given to them.

We believe till then, bitterness that is there in our relations cannot end," he said. On Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's one-day visit to India last week, India had linked the progress in bilateral ties with Pakistan to taking action against Hafiz Saeed and others, he said.

Hussain said taking steps to improve trade relations with Pakistan would no doubt benefit people on the both sides, "but till the time core issue of terrorism is not addressed, overall relations cannot become better". When asked about Sarabjit Singh, Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, Hussain said BJP demands efforts in this regard at prime minister Manmohan Singh's level. If Saeed is handed over and Sarabjit is released by Pakistan, then it will bring some improvement in the relations.