Peace process with Pakistan can't be hurried: BJP

New Delhi, Feb 22: Senior BJP leader and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said he was in favour of the continued peace process with Pakistan but it should not be hurried through.

Expressing concerns with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri in a 45-minute meeting at his residence this morning, Mr Vajpayee pointed out that Pakistan had not kept its January 2004 assurance of not allowing its territory for terrorist acts.

Mr Kasuri, however, affirmed that Pakistan was also a ''victim of terrorist activities'' where frequent attacks were taking place.

Acknowledging Mr Kasuri's compliment for initiating the peace process between the two neighbours, Mr Vajpayee told the Foreign Minister it was not an individual decision but a step taken after taking the people and Parliament into confidence.

Former Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha and former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra were also present in the meeting.

Mr Sinha said BJP disagreed with Mr Kasuri's remarks that Pakistan was a ''victim of terror'' but was in favour of continuing the peace process.

UNI

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