Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Feb 27: Welcoming resumption of cross-LoC trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, Patron People’s Democratic Party Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today once again batted for opening of all the traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil regions so as to facilitate strengthening of ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Addressing a public meeting here organised by Party leader Rashid Malik at Sunjwan, on the outskirts of winter capital of state, the former Chief Minister said that healthy, cordial and peaceful relations between Indian and Pakistan were always in the interest of the two nations and every effort should have been made to carry forward the efforts undertaken by the previous Government in state.
Reiterating that the cross-LoC trade and travel are the only achievements for the people of Jammu and Kashmir since independence in their effort to end the siege around the state, Sayeed said that time has come to take these relations to next level. “The trade and travel across the Line of Control shall not only be strengthen but a more effective mechanism should be established to curb any attempt to cause a setback to the process of reconciliation started in 2003”, he said.
He said that the process, which was historic in its very character, has been threatened on many occasions. It is the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which have always been at the receiving end of the hostilities between India and Pakistan and the recent ceasefire violations stands testimony to the fact, he said adding, “unfortunately the ruling dispensation in the state, over the last five years, has been a mute spectator every time attempts to cause a dent to the process of reconciliation were made”.
The PDP patron said it is unfortunate that the trade and travel between the two sides has not developed to the level, as it should have been this time, but expressed hope that the “two countries will read the writing on the wall and do away with the past baggage of hatred and animosity.”
PDP, he said, will continue to struggle for opening up of all traditional routes through Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh and Kargil regions and lifting curbs on travel and trade to create an Economic Free Zone (EFC) across the state that has tremendous natural resources and could become one of the most affluent regions of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, senior leader and party candidate for Baramullah Lok Sabha constituency Muzaffar Hussain Baig said Peoples Democratic Party is a mission to bridge gap created by some people in the state by some vested interest.
Baig said that the upcoming general elections were a unique opportunity for the people as this time they will have to chose between the political parties on the basis of their performance and capacity of govern. “During a short period of three years, we have achieved what other parties could not in decades. We established a transparent and accountable system and took the administration to next level of governance”, he said while regretting that during the last more than five years the state has once again been plunged into administrative and economic morass.
He asked the people to remain vigilant against the gimmicks of National Conference, which has taken the state on ride by its hollow slogans and false promises.
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