Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Stressing on the need of maintaining spirit of the ceasefire all along the Line of Control (LoC) at any cost, patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today emphasized that political leadership of India and Pakistan must step in to arrest the escalating tension on the borders. He said that peace on the borders was in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir because they bear brunt of the hostility between the two countries.
Addressing function to welcome prominent political activist of Uri, Sayeed Najeeb Naqui, a senior Youth Congress leader who joined PDP here today, Mr Sayeed expressed his concern over unpleasant events on the LoC recently and emphasized on the need of taking some concerted steps to avoid reoccurrence of such unfortunate incidents in future. He said that the ceasefire, which was announced on the border by the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the year 2003, had brought positives changes in the lives of the common people in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The ceasefire all along the border from Kathua to Kargil had proved to be a very important event not only for the two countries but also for the people in all the regions of Jammu & Kashmir”, he said, adding “for the people of Jammu & Kashmir the ceasefire has brought peace in their lives so I am hopeful the leadership of two would realize the importance of maintaining the spirit of the ceasefire”. He said that leadership of India and Pakistan must act with political wisdom and do not allow the hawkish rhetoric to spoil the gains of the peace process and the ceasefire.
PDP patron said that the ceasefire, had not only given the much-needed relief to the people living along the borders, but it had also laid foundation for initiating the process of peace and reconciliation in this region. “The ceasefire had brought relief and normalcy into the lives of people residing in the border areas,” he said and added that at the same time it also made historic initiatives like opening up of LoC for bus service and cross LoC trade possible.
PDP patron said that there was no substitute to the dialogue so the policy of peace and reconciliation started by the PDP must be taken to its logical conclusion for establishing lasting peace in this region.
“I appealed Prime Minister of India and political leadership of Pakistan to adopt realistic and purposeful policy to establish lasting and sustainable peace in this region’, he said.
PDP patron reiterated that aim of his party was not to grab power but to restore dignity and honour of the people. “My only desire is to make Jammu and Kashmir an Island of Peace and to establish lasting peace in this sub-continent”, he said, adding “Since its formation PDP has been working to create an atmosphere of reconciliation and to restore a sense of security and fearlessness among the people”.
Speaking on the occasion, former Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, reaffirmed commitment of the PDP to aggressively pursue the agenda of reconciliation and development in the State.
“As the peace process was pioneered by the PDP, party would take this process to the logical conclusion by establishing lasting peace in this region by channelizing power of the people”, he said.
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