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| Trade: Its over to Pak | | CM says all arrangements in place for trucks to roll out | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | May 12
Pinning hopes on the new ruling establishment in Pakistan to curb the scourge of terrorism and infiltration, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that all preparations were in place for initiating the trans-LoC trade with the neighbouring region.
In his meeting with the visiting British High Commissioner and later addressing a party rally on north Kashmir’s border town of Uri, the Chief Minister reiterated that India wants friendly relations with Pakistan and initiation of trade will strengthen the ties.
He said India had done everything that was required of her to open the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for trade. He said the ball was now in the court of Pakistan to let the trucks ply on the road. He said but for the developments in Pakistan the trucks carrying goods from either side should have started since plying between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. He said some vested interests wanted the people to believe that Pakistan was ready for the cross-LoC trade but the central and the State governments did not want it to happen. He said nothing could be more inaccurate and farther from the reality. "Why would we construct godowns, customs office and double-lane the road leading to the Kaman Post if it was not for starting the trade?" he asked. He said that the Pakistan government should now fulfill the wishes of the people on both sides regarding the trade through the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road. He said the Foreign Minister, Pranab Mukherji would visit Pakistan later this month and discuss with his counterpart the cross-LoC trade also. He hoped that the new government in Pakistan would carry forward the dialogue process initiated by India with its predecessor government to usher the sub-continent in an era of peace and progress.
Azad lashed out at leaders and groups promising people the unrealizable things and befooling them with misleading slogans. He said nobody had the right to promise to people what he knew could not be achieved. He warned people against such groups and leaders. He said his party and government had chosen the path of peace and development instead of hollow slogans and illusory dreams. He said peace and friendship was also sought with Pakistan and expressed satisfaction that after 60 years of acrimony the leadership in that country was for the first time openly saying that they did not want war with India on Kashmir and preferred dialogue to address issues. He said the change in their thinking had vindicated the stand of India that issues could only be resolved through dialogue. He said the Indo-Pak bilateral relations were at its best since the UPA government assumed office at the centre. He said for the last four years there was peace on borders as guns on both sides had fallen silent. He said the pleasant change in atmosphere was due to the efforts of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. He hoped that the new government in Pakistan would take forward the peace and dialogue process. |
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