Excelsior Correspondent
R S Pura, Oct 31: Reiterating resolve of his party to work as a peace facilitator to ensure de-escalation of tension on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today asserted that PDP would convince political groups of the country to initiate a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan to restore lasting peace on the borders. He said the normalcy between India and Pakistan is must for the socio-economic growth of the people of South Asian region.
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed along with senior leaders of the party today conducted an extensive tour of the border areas of R S Pura, Suchetgarh and Bishnah Assembly segments and addressed series of public meetings at Abdullian, Floura, Sai Khurd and Trave areas on the International Border (IB) from where he propagated the message of peace and reconciliation with neighbouring country. He cautioned that escalation of tension is against the interest of both the countries.
“From these border areas, I appeal Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and leadership of opposition NDA to evolve consensus for taking some concerted steps to control escalation of tension on the borders because peace is the urge of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, he said while addressing border residents at several places. He said that peace on the borders is in the interest of the people Jammu and Kashmir because they bear maximum brunt of the hostility between the two countries.
Mr Sayeed expressed his concern over recent unpleasant events on the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts and emphasized on the need of taking some effective steps to avoid reoccurrence of such unfortunate incidents in future. He said that the ceasefire, which was announced on the borders by the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the year 2003, had brought positives changes in lives of the common people in Jammu and Kashmir.
“For the people of Jammu & Kashmir the ceasefire had brought peace in their lives so I am hopeful the leadership of country would realize the importance of maintaining the spirit of the ceasefire at any cost”, he said and exuded confidence that political leadership of Pakistan would also exhibit wisdom at this crucial juncture.
PDP patron said that there is no substitute to the dialogue so the policy of peace and reconciliation started by the PDP must be taken to its logical conclusion for establishing lasting peace in this region.
“I appealed Prime Minister of India and political leadership of Pakistan to adopt realistic and purposeful policy to establish lasting and sustainable peace in this region’, he said, adding, “Peace is precondition for solving all issues”.
Recalling how PDP had convinced the then NDA Government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee to take some bold initiative to de-escalate tension of border in the year 2003, Mufti observed that ceasefire announced in 2003 had also provided a strong foundation for the amicable resolution of all the outstanding issues including Kashmir.
“Do not allow all gains of ceasefire to go waste”, he asked and added it was high-time for the leadership of both the countries to show wisdom because security and stability of this sub-continent would largely depend on how the leadership of India and Pakistan would behave in the given situation.
Mufti also reminded the border residents that during PDP led regime a number of concrete steps were taken to improve their socio-economic conditions.
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