Shahnawaz for brakes on talks with Pak

Raipur, July 17 (UNI) BJP Secretary and former Union minister Shahnawaz Hussain today urged the Centre to halt peace parleys with Pakistan till ''India is convinced that the neighbouring country was not aiding and abetting terrorism.'' ''Pakistan may be claiming that it is not abetting militancy. But we must be convinced,'' he told reporters here after attending a sit-in organised by the BJP's Chhattisgarh unit against the Mumbai transit terror incidents in particular and terrorism in general.

Mr Hussain said ultras struck during the predecessor NDA regime also but that was in retaliation to the tough stance adopted by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government against such forces. ''Now extremists' morale is high courtesy the UPA regime's soft policies,'' he alleged.

Demanding re-enactment of POTA, the former minister said no political party demanded its repeal but it was done under pressure of so-called securalists.

UNI JJ AC MIR HT2200