Vajpayee's initiative needs to be taken forward: Advani on PM's Pak visit

The BJP senior said Modi and others in government should steadfastly improve relationship with Pakistan and get rid of terrorism

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise Lahore visit, BJP veteran L K Advani today said Modi and other leaders in government should work to carry forward Atal Bihari Vajpayee's initiative for improving Indo-Pak ties and get rid of problem of terrorism.

He, however, skirted a query on the issue of suspension of party MP Kirti Azad who had made allegations of corruption against Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) in which Finance Arun Jaitley has come under attack.

"The efforts initiated by Vajpayee ji need to be taken forward," Advani said on a question of surprise visit of Modi to Lahore yesterday.

"Modiji and others in government should steadfastly improve relationship with Pakistan and get rid of terrorism, which has been an issue between both the countries," Advani said.

Former Prime Minister Vajpayee had travelled to Lahore in a bus from India in 1999 and started a peace initiative with Pakistan in 2004.

Modi yesterday during his return from Kabul had a surprise stop-over at Lahore and went to the home of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf on his birthday.

This was the first visit of Indian Prime Minister to Pakistan after 2004 when Vajpayee had travelled to the country for the SAARC summit.

Advani, who had met other BJP veteran leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha on Thursday to discuss suspension of Azad, did not respond to the question on the issue.It was the veterans' second meeting.

Following their first meeting on the Diwali eve, they had launched a stinging attack on BJP leadership over the Bihar election drubbing.

This time, however, they issued no statement.

Advani was here to attend a Sindhi community function at Sindu Bhavan.