Lucknow: Asserting that the time has come for a "final decision" on resolving Indo-Pak issues, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on May 21 asked Islamabad to show no softness towards terrorist organisations and take action against them for creating conducive atmosphere for a bilateral dialogue.

Referring to the reported curbs imposed by Pakistan government on militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Vajpayee told a press conference that he hoped that the decision would be "sincerely implemented".

Asking Pakistan to put an end to cross-border terrorism and dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil, he said the latest round of killings of family members in Rajouri was a warning that terrorism was yet to be eliminated.

"Killing of innocent children and slitting of throats is barbaric," he said, adding Jammu and Kashmir government was ready to fight terrorism.

Vajpayee said Pakistan should take appropriate steps for resolution of problems with India in the context of changed international situation that despises wars.

"We want to live in peace. Our efforts are that the path of war should close and problems be settled through dialogue. The international situation has changed.

"Today, there is renewed realisation among countries on the gravity of wars. I am hopeful that our neighbour will also ponder over this situation and take appropriate steps," Vajpayee said in reply to a question why he was keen on pursuing peace with Pakistan when it has repeatedly betrayed the country.

He rejected allegations that he was taking the peace initiative under international pressure and criticised Congress president Sonia Gandhi for making "such a wrong charge".

"This charge has been made again and again. People should not make such statements. India is a self- respecting nation and takes decisions on its own strength," Vajpayee said.

He referred to the raising of Kashmir issue in UN Security Council by Pakistan recently, which did not get support from any country.

"Pakistan should learn a lesson from this. This shows that the world favours a bilateral dialogue," he said.

Vajpayee said the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage had himself stated in Islamabad that his peace initiative came as a surprise to him.

About reconstruction of war-ravaged Iraq, Vajpayee said the exercise should be carried out under the aegis of the United Nations, as it was not a problem concerning one nation, but one that affects the whole world.

PTI