Pak political parties say joint statement favoured India

Political parties across Pakistan have expressed their reservations over the resumption of "comprehensive bilateral dialogue" between India and Pakistan, alleging that the joint statement favoured New Delhi.

According to the Dawn, although the parties welcomed the decision to sit across the table for resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries, they said the joint statement favoured India's stance.

PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari said that the statement addressed Indian concerns over the Mumbai trial but no mention of Samjhota Express case and Kashmir cause which the government recently took up at the United Nations and 'kept on boasting about taking such a bold stand'.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was also of the view that such statements warranted a clarification from the government side because apparently it didn't explain what actually transpired during the talks.

Underscoring the importance of Afghanistan for regional peace and prosperity, Rehman accused the West of fanning wars and conflicts in the developing world for the benefit their military-industrial complex.

The Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination, Riaz Pirzada, said he would convey the mood of the house to the prime minister and ask Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz to appear before it.