Islamabad, May 14: Taking a grim view of the change of guard in India, media here today said it was a matter of "concern" for Pakistan as the BJP may turn its back on peace initiative of outgoing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and revert to pro-Hindu and anti-Pakistan rhetoric to stage a comeback. While TV channels had lengthy discussions on the likely impact of the fall of the Vajpayee government, print media covered the Lok Sabha polls outcome extensively.
"The election results will be a matter of concern for Pakistan as much was being put in store by a victorious Vajpayee taking the peace and normalisation process to its fruition," 'The News' daily said in an editorial.
It said that Vajpayee was seen here as a highly successful chief executive mainly because he had overcome years of tension and bitterness between the two neighbours.
Apparently referring to Congress president Sonia Gandhi's remark that peace process with Pakistan would continue, the daily said "the future prime minister of India has uttered the usual encouraging words".
"Of concern to Pakistan is that without Vajpayee's moderate leadership, the BJP was likely to revert to its pro-Hindu, anti-Pakistan rhetoric again and put the Congress government on the defensive," noted Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi said in a front page comment in 'Daily Times'.
Bureau Report