Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 20: PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today expressed concern over the increasing incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC and said the skirmishes were a result of the failure of both India and Pakistan to take peace process to the logical conclusion.
“Skirmishes on borders was result of the failure of both India and Pakistan Governments to take peace process to the logical conclusion.
“Instead of reacting in knee jerk manner India and Pakistan should maintain spirit of the cease fire because escalation of hostility is not in the interests of the common masses of both the countries,” Sayeed said.
The PDP leader was addressing a meeting of the Kulgam district committee of the party here. Both countries should continue the process of dialogue to prevent “another era of turmoil” in the sub-continent, he said.
“The situation necessitates that instead of indulging in provocative utterance, both the countries should continue the process of dialogue to prevent another era of turmoil in this sub-continent,” Sayeed said.
While cautioning against dangerous consequences of any escalation of confrontation, Sayeed reminded that it was during the NDA regime that a composite dialogue process was started which ultimately led to peace on the borders.
“When the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had extended hand of friendship towards Pakistan during a historic rally at Srinagar on April 18, 2003, tension was high on the borders and there was an eye ball to eye ball situation,” he said.
The PDP through its pro-peace polices convinced both the neighbouring countries to break the ice and take some Confidence Building Measures (CBM) for restoration of peace in this region, Sayeed added.
“Unfortunately many quarters observed that ceasefire announced on the borders in the year 2003 was end of the problem, so no further follow-up action was taken to restore lasting peace in this region,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said the Governments of both the countries have failed to initiate new CBMs to the take the peace process to the logical conclusion.
“Prevailing situation on the borders is result of the failure of both the Government to carry forward the pro-peace initiatives which was taken during PDP led regime,” he said.
Cautioning leadership of both the countries against indulging in blame games, he said there was a need to carry forward the peace initiatives and to expand the process of cross-LoC cooperation and trade in the State that would help to create a new space for reconciliation in the region.
“Indo-Pak cooperation is the key to resolve the region’s problems,” he said and called upon the civil society in both the countries to respond to the emerging challenging situation so that the peace process could be taken to the logical end.
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