Jammu, January 18(Scoop News) –Patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohammad Sayed today said that peace process initiated by his government was a irreversible process and roadmap laid by his party was the only way to establish sustainable peace in this sub-continent. He said that PDP through its programmes and policies has created a sense of security among residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a function to welcome prominent political activist of Akhnoor, Harbans Bral, who joined PDP today, Mr Sayeed again appealed political leadership of both India and Pakistan to maintain spirit of the cease-fire on Line of Control (LoC) to ensure peace and tranquility in this sub-continent. He said that residents of border areas were the worst victims of the hostility between two countries so “I urged leadership of both the countries to maintain ceasefire for the security of life and property of people of Jammu and Kashmir”.
“The situation necessitate that instead of indulge into provocative utterance both the countries should continue this process of dialogue to prevent another era of turmoil in this sub-continent”, he urged and recalled how residents of Jammu and Kashmir had faced worst situation during hostility between India and Pakistan before announcement of cease-fire on LoC.
While cautioning against approach of hawkish elements who are opposing continuation of dialogue between India and Pakistan, he reminded that it was during the NDA regime that a composite dialogue process was started. “When the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had extended hand of friendship towards Pakistani during historic rally at Srinagar on April 18, 2003, tension was high on the borders and there was an eye ball to eye situation”, he recalled and hastened to add PDP through its pro-peace polices convinced both the neighbouring countries to break the ice and take some Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for restoration of peace in this region.
What ever steps we initiated for restoring peace, successive regimes at Delhi endorsed our stand, he said and reiterated PDP’s commitment to work as facilitator for solution of Kashmir problem with honour and dignity.
"Previous NDA regime headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee and present UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh whole heartedly supported the initiatives taken by us for establishing sustainable peace in this region", Mr Sayed said.
He said there was a need to carry forward the peace initiatives and to expand the process of cross-LoC cooperation and trade in Jammu and Kashmir that would help to create a new space for reconciliation in the region. "Indo-Pak cooperation is the key to resolve the region’s problems” he said and called upon the civil society in both the countries to respond to the emerging challenging situation so that the peace process should be taken to the logical end.
Highlighting achievements of the three years tenure of the PDP led regime, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that it was result of the efforts of his party that peoples’ faith has revived in democratic institutions. "Through its significant and historical steps PDP has consolidated reconciliation process and facilitated the efforts to establish lasting peace in this region", he said.
Sardar Rangil Singh, Thakur Balbir Singh, Hussain Ali Wafa, Rajinder Singh Manhas, Jagjeet Singh Jagga, H S Bali and others also spoke on the occasion.
Prominent among others who joined PDP with Harbans Singh Bral included Babu Ram, Joginder, Shakti, Angrez Singh Manhas, Kewel Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Vikas, Atul Kumar, Rajeev Sharma, Pawan and others.