Solution of Kashmir problem is must for economic growth of sub-continent: Mufti
By Agence India Press,
Jammu: Stressing on the need of taking some effective step to solve vexed Kashmir problem, former Chief Minister and patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayed said the solution of this problem was must for the overall growth and development of this sub-continent.
Addressing central executive committee meeting of party Mufti said that India’s efforts to become an economic power would be suffered if Kashmir problem remained unsolved.
“After 1947 India has solved most of its internal problems but Kashmir issue is still not resolved”, he pointed out and emphasized on the need of taking some concrete and effective steps for solving this problem once for all.
He was of the opinion that instead of sticking to the stated position, government of India should come forward with fresh approach for restoring peace process.
“Solution of Kashmir problem is not only in the interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir but resolution of this issue would also facilitate growth and development in the entire South Asia,” he added.
Cautioning against hawkish approach being adopted by some forces, Mufti opined that violence and war was not solution of any problem and the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan was must for solving this problem. He especially mentioned that after every war, both Indian and Pakistani governments had to come on table for dialogue.
Pointing towards prevailing situation in neighbouring country, “India has an appropriate opportunity to solve Kashmir problem by restarting peace process with Pakistan,” he said, adding, “civil society in Pakistan has given encouraging response to the dialogue and reconciliation process and it is high time for the government to India to avail this opportunity and take some bold steps,”.
Mufti further said that PDP has pioneered a political and economic agenda to establish sustainable peace in the sub-continent and to fulfill wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions of the State.
“Our politics is not for attain power. Aim of our party is to establish lasting peace in this region and restoring dignity and honour of the people of this State,” he said.
“Through our conviction and sincerity we have facilitated historic peace and confidence building initiatives which positively transformed the political discourse not only within the State, but throughout the sub-continent,” he said, adding “it was only due to visionary policies of PDP that peace started growing manifold”.
He mentioned that PDP through its convictions convinced the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to make historic announcement from Srinagar.
“Reconciliatory policies and peace initiatives initiated by our party are must for restoring peace in this region,” he said and observed that the biggest achievements of PDP was that it has created conducive atmosphere for initiating peace process and taking Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to normalize relations between India and Pakistan.
Mufti asserted that formula presented by the PDP for solution of Kashmir problem was the most viable and practical road map which has been formulated by incorporating wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions.
He further said that PDP’s formulate was the practical solution to address both external and internal dimensions of Kashmir problem.
“During our three year tenure from 2002 to 2005, we have treated all regions equally and decentralized powers at grass loot level by political and economically empowering all regions and sub-regions,” he reminded and pointed out it was during the regime of PDP that democratic institutions like local bodies were empowered with adequate powers.