Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: The former Union Minister and MLA Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta has deplored the belligerency on part of Pakistan over the issue of smuggling of contrabands and observed that it was a strange situation.
In a statement issued here today he said instead of feeling ashamed and humiliated the Pak authorities are trying to shield the guilty in the smuggling of brown sugar, a costly narcotic.
Responding to the woes of the traders Prof. Gupta said the LoC trade was started with the objective of confidence building measures but it was astonishing that the Pak authorities have adopted aggressive attitude by coming to the support of guilty persons. This will indicate that instead of creating goodwill, they are trying to harm the very objective of this trade. Moreover this also gave credence to the feelings of terrorism, smuggling of narcotics designs.
He said that confidence and friendly relations are good for peace and development. But all this cannot be one sided. For this Pakistan would have to change its policies and approach otherwise it would prove mere a wild goose, Prof. Gupta added.
He demanded that New Delhi must review their policies vis-a-viz Pakistan and opt for realistic approach.
He also said the quandary in which the traders are faced with a piquant situation has arisen. This is bound to lead to more problems rather than achieving any good.
Prof. Gupta said only strong dealings can make Pakistan to be friendly to behave like a good neighbour. Prevailing bellicose is the result of yielding and weak dealings.