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| Time has come to dismantle barriers: Mufti | | | New York | Sep 23
In a significant and path-breaking move, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the party President Mehbooba Mufti were invited to address a joint gathering of Kashmiris from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) here last evening.
Addressing the gathering, Sayeed said the peace process between India and Pakistan has laid a sound foundation of mutual trust and confidence for the ultimate settlement of the Kashmir issue. "The present peace initiative is markedly different from the ill-fated ones launched from time to time over the past few decades, as its contours match the imperatives of both the local factors and the existing global scenario," he said and added that an atmosphere conducive to sustaining the peace initiative is consistently building up on both sides.
Sayeed said for the first time, there is a free flow of ideas and opinions across the LoC leading to a healthy debate on the political, economic and social issues. "In the ongoing exchange of ideas, we are trying to contribute our humble bit, like everyone else," he said and added that it is a welcome departure that almost all the main players in the field are now engaged in this exercise giving much-needed credibility to the peace process. He said time has come to dismantle the physical, political and psychological barriers that have divided the people of the region.
Sayeed said the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan at one level, and the interaction between the civil society groups, representing diverse shades and opinions, has generated a healthy atmosphere across the sub-continent. He, however, emphasized the need for more vibrant contribution of the civil society towards the consolidation of the peace process. He said the turbulent history of the sub-continent makes it imperative for both India and Pakistan to not only resolve their mutual conflicts amicably but also forge a healthy cooperation towards achieving the desired level of the human development.
Reiterating his party's demand that all the traditional routes in Jammu & Kashmir should be thrown open for free movement of the people and goods, Sayeed said given its geo-strategic location the State could become a model for economic cooperation not only in the sub-continent but in the whole South Asian region. He said respecting each other's sensitivities about the national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the key to establishing mutual trust in the region.
Pointing out that PDP's Self-Rule formula is one of the best solutions possible to the Kashmir issue in the present scenario, Sayeed said it is the only comprehensive proposal that addresses both the internal and external dimensions of the problem involving both sides of the State. He said PDP's consistent opinion is that dialogue and not the gun is the way to reach a solution to the Kashmir issue. "Respecting the just concerns of the people and empowering the democratic institutions is the right course to follow," he said and added that he, during his tenure as the chief minister of the State, received valuable support and cooperation from the Government of India in carrying the fruits of the peace initiatives to its intended beneficiaries – the people of Jammu & Kashmir. "The results were there for everyone to see," he said.
Expressing optimism regarding the results of the peace and reconciliation process, Sayeed said despite occasional hiccups, the process is going to move ahead with positive results as it has entered into a phase where there could be no going back. "PDP's vision of a South Asian region free of friction and feud emanates from the basic oneness of its people, that is going to override all the political considerations," he said.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti and various leaders from Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) also addressed the gathering and pledged to carry forward the initiative.
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