By IANS,
Jammu : Regretting the “slow pace of the India-Pakistan dialogue,” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Sunday emphasised the need for a “sustained India-Pakistan dialogue – which must focus on Kashmir”.
Addressing a civil society meeting in Jammu, which was discussing ‘Jammu and Kashmir Towards Tranquilty’, Mufti said that apart from other issues between the two countries, India and Pakistan should have a sustained Kashmir-centric dialogue.
The PDP patron regretted that the dialogue and peace process between the two countries was going on at a snail’s pace. He maintained, “The dialogue process should not be restricted to events but should be process-driven and result-oriented so that the elements inimical to peace are sidelined and the process of reconciliation can be taken to a logical conclusion.”
Mufti observed, “To bring stability in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the union government must involve all sections of society, including all political parties of the country, in a constructive and meaningful dialogue process for the peaceful and amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue.”
Mufti also asked the people of India not to mistrust the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, especially of the Kashmir Valley.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are not at fault. It is the political leadership of the state which has to be blamed for the existing trust deficit between the residents of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country,” Mufti said and emphasised the need for taking some concrete steps to remove apprehensions from both sides to establish lasting peace in the region.