Thursday, August 10 2006 10:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Terming the expulsion of an Indian diplomat by Pakistan as 'hasty and ill-advised', sections of the media here yesterday (Aug 9, 2006) said the explanation given for it was 'not convincing' and questioned Islamabad's assertions that the action would not affect the Indo-Pak peace process.

"We reiterate: Pakistan's decision to expel the Indian diplomat (Deepak Kaul) was hasty and ill-advised. Both sides know who is spying and what such activity can likely beget in terms of information," the 'Daily Times' said in an editorial.

"In an era when the morning newspaper has more to offer in terms of information than what our intelligence agencies can boast of gathering, spying is a mock-word," it said.

Questioning Pakistan's assertions that the expulsions would not affect the peace process, it said "The peace process is not on track; the expulsion of diplomats is not going to help matters. And there are many other things that could hurt the process, even more than the fact that Pakistan acted in pique rather then with foresight in kicking out the Indian diplomat."

"India's attitude of going slow, if not deliberately forestalling any progress on the contentious issues, frustrated Pakistan and is now beginning to irritate it," the paper claimed.

'The Frontier Post' in its editorial said Pakistan's official explanation over the expulsion of Kaul was not convincing," he asid.

Kaul's expulsion coming in the background of allegations of involvement of Pakistan intelligence agencies in Mumbai blasts 'lack credibility,' it said.