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| SELF RULE | | Baig holds’ orientation lecture’ for PDP’s Jammu leaders | |
Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 17
Terming self-rule proposal as realistic and practical solution to address both external and internal dimensions of Kashmir problem, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Muzaffar Hussain Beig today said that in the given situation this was the best possible solution which is formulated by accommodating aspirations and wishes of all stake holders.
Addressing a meeting of the prominent citizens of Jammu, Beig said besides addressing political issues this document is also aimed at economic integration of both parts of Jammu and Kashmir by converting Line of Control (LoC) into line of trade and peace.
The self rule aimed at creating Jammu and Kashmir as a bridge between India and Pakistan and both the countries would offer tariff reductions and develop this belt as Regional Free Trade Area. Development of this area as free trade zone would attract maximum foreign direct investment.
“Opening of some points on LoC for trade is a good beginning but lot more needed to be done”, he said and emphasized on opening Nowshere-Jhangar road and Sailkote-Suchetgarh road for trade.
Advocating for introducing dual currency to facilitate trade across both sides of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “instead of looking for a monetary union, a new system of “dual currency” will be created where Indian and Pakistani rupees are both made legitimate legal tenders in the geographical areas of Jammu and Kashmir”.
The PDP leader said that Jammu and Kashmir has suffered huge financial loss due to Indus Water Treaty and the self rule proposes to set up a tribunal to compensate the State due to this Treaty. “Water, energy and transport are the other areas of economic cooperation between both sides of Kashmir”, he said, adding “it is important that efforts are made to design and develop a regional energy market. The Regional Energy Basin based primarily on hydro resources, will set up the right environment for the optimal development of energy sector in the region. “It will made energy tradable and the joint agreement governing energy trade that can be visualized will substantially contributing to attracting investment into this strategic sector, he said.
The PDP leader said regional councils could be formed by upgrading the Legislative Council and members from both sides of Kashmir could be accommodated.
It will be a kind of a regional senate. Members of the Regional Council will be from Jammu and K as well as from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. At present the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir holds 25 seats for representatives from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. These could be given up and held as Pakistan Administered Kashmir’s representation in the Regional Council. This will serve as a major cross-border institution, which will ensure long-term coordination of matters and interest relating to the state.
The self-rule document was firm on making Article 356 (imposition of President’s Rule) non-applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly articles 249, 312, 368 and 357 should be rolled back, he said.
Assuring the people full their regional and sub-regional aspirations, he said “promotion of genuine sub-regional political and economic empowerment is certainly one of the crucial components of self rule”. He further said that under the self-rule institutional mechanisms are provided to fulfill regional and sub-regional aspirations.
He said that problem of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved on the basis of exclusively intra-state level initiatives.
Beig, who has presented this document in two successive round table conferences, said that this proposal was taken seriously by all participants irrespective of their party affiliations. He quoted Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who had stated that self-rule proposal can be foundation to the solution of Kashmir problem.
Prominent citizens including traders and social activists of Jammu attended the function.
Senior PDP leaders Sardar Rangil Singh, Thakur Balbir Singh and Sayeed Asgar Ali also spoke on the topic.
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