Jammu, September 23 (Scoop News)- Emphasizing on the need for a sustained Indo-Pak dialogue – which must focus on Kashmir apart from other issues between the two countries, patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today observed that the process of dialogue and peace between two the countries was going in snail’s pace. He maintained that the dialogue process should not be related to the events but should be process driven and result oriented so that the elements inimical to peace be sidelined and the process of reconciliation should be taken to a logical conclusion.
Mufti was addressing civil society of Jammu in a day long interaction on the topic “J&K towards tranquility”. “To bring stability in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Government must involve all the sections of the society, including all political parties of the country, in a constructive and meaningful dialogue process for the peaceful and amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue”, he said and asked people of the country not to mistrust the residents of Jammu and Kashmir especially of Kashmir.
“People of Jammu and Kashmir are not at the fault but it the political leadership of the state which has to be blamed for existing trust deficit between the residents of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country”, he observed and emphasized on the need of taking some concrete steps to remove apprehensions from both sides to establish lasting peace in this region.
While pointing towards trust deficit between different regions of the State, the PDP patron reiterated resolve of his party to bring people of different regions and sub-regions together. “During our tenure we proved how to treat all regions and sub-regions equally. We would further facilitate the process of bridging this gap to ensure justice and equality to all regions and sub-regions of the state,” he said and added that a mechanism would be evolved to eliminate any kind of discrimination with any region or sub-region of the State. “Our aim is to bring people of all regions and sub-regions together”, he said.
“Before the formation of PDP led government in 2002, there were complaints of discrimination with some regions of the state. The PDP led regime had not only removed such discriminations but also ensured empowerment of different regions and sub-regions,” he said, making a mention of the establishment of Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils.
Mufti said the PDP government had set an example of equitable and balanced development in Jammu and Kashmir.” “Our party would remove the walls of hatred among different regions and sub-regions of the state and would establish regional harmony in the State”, he asserted.
Mr Sayeed, while throwing light on the Self Rule document of the party, said that PDP’s vision has potential to address external and internal dimension of the Kashmir problem. “In our document we have suggested to make Jammu and Kashmir as a free economic zone”, he said and added that there was a proposal in the South Asian Association of Regional Council (SAARC) to make South Asia as free economic zone on the pattern of European Union (EU).
“We demand that Jammu and Kashmir should be made a testing ground for SAARC countries by easing visa restrictions and custom free trade among both parts of Kashmir", he said, adding, "Jammu and Kashmir should become a model among the SAARC countries”.
While highlighting the historical role played by his party in restoring peace in this region, he said that since its formation PDP has been advocating that dialogue was the only solution of all problems. “PDP has pioneered and implemented the peace and reconciliation process which yielded encouraging results. Our party had convinced successive governments at Delhi to initiate some bold Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to restore lasting peace in this region, he said and mentioned towards historical role played by the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in normalizing relations with Pakistan. He said that announced made by Atal Behari Vajpayee on April 18, 2003 at Srinagar was one of the bold steps because he had extended hands of friendship towards Pakistan at that time when tension was high on borders. He also pointed it was all due to the efforts of the Congress led UPA government that crossing points on the Line of Control (LoC) were opened.
PDP patron reiterated that aim of his party was not grab power but to restore dignity and honour of the people. “My only desire to make Jammu and Kashmir an Island of Peace”, he reiterated.
He reminded that 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”.
The interaction was organized by Kuljeet Singh Jamwal in which prominent citizens of Jammu were present. The interaction was followed by question answer session. Sardar Rangil Singh, former Minister and general secretary of PDP Mohammad Dilawar Mir also spoke on the occasion.
Prominent PDP leaders Ved Mahajan, Shanti Devi, Falai Singh, Hussain Ali Bafa, Rashid Malik and others were also present on the occasion.