Pak panel's report on Kashmir has lifted mask of lies: Sena

Mumbai, Feb 4: Days after a Pakistani parliamentary panel asked its government to avoid "encouraging" support to militant groups in Kashmir, the Shiv Sena today said the report has lifted the "mask of lies" worn by the neighbouring country.

"The parliamentary panel report that has been submitted to the government has now made Pakistan' politicians to hide their faces in shame," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. "India has, from the last 25 years, been saying that Pakistan is behind terror activities in Kashmir and infiltrations but their government has been denying it.

But the report has lifted off the mask of lies the neighbouring country's government has been wearing," it said. The panel's findings should be considered as a "policy booklet" by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and he should take a firm stand on the report, the Sena said, adding that it now remains to be seen if Sharif shows the courtesy to act on the report or chooses to ignore it.

"The panel's findings should be considered as a policy booklet by Nawaz Sharif. The panel has shown the true face of the country to the world. It now remains to be seen if Nawaz Sharif shows the courtesy of acting on the report or chooses to ignore it," the ruling alliance partner said.

Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs had on February 1 issued a four-page policy paper linked to Kashmir. "Pakistan should not encourage calls for active support to armed, banned, militant groups in Kashmir," the paper that has a series of policy recommendations on Indo-Pak ties, said. India has been demanding that Pakistan act against the militant groups operating from its soil.

PTI