Cross-LoC CBMs are moving at snails pace: Mufti

Jammu, Dec 18 (UNI) Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohd Sayeed today called for speeding up the implementation process of the cross-LOC Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to facilitate the free movement of pilgrims from across the LoC to Shahadra Sharief.

Interacting with the pilgrims and the locals at Shahadra Sharief in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron said the leadership of the two countries must respect and respond in earnest to the people's overwhelming yearning for dismantling the barriers dividing them.

''By continuing to create imaginary barriers in the free movement of people and goods despite re-opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote roads, the two countries are only adding to the cynicism and consternation of the State's people,'' Mr Sayeed said.

''I hope with the stabilisation of the political situation in Pakistan, there would be speedy movement forward on allowing free movement of people and goods through all the traditional cross-LoC routes in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the ministersaid peace had now become a permanent feature along the borders with the ceasefire continuing successfully for the past four years, which was endent from the fact that during the recent byelections in Poonch, 18 polling booths were set up along the LoC after a gap of around 15 years.

Moreover, earlier while addressing the students and staff of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) in Rajouri district last evening, Mr Sayeed called for opening the doors of the University for the students from across the Line of Control (LoC).

''Having come up as a unique institution of plurality with students and staff from diverse regions and different practices, BGSBU must now widen the space of intellectual interaction by bringing in students from other part of the Kashmir,'' The PDP patron said, adding, ''Universities are the crux of the intellectual activity and a platform for exchange of ideas and by bringing in students and staff from all the regions and religions, BGSBU has set the process of intellectual interaction in motion in the serene environs of this bordering belt.'' He also asked the University to get students from across the LoC to widen the scope of contacts as interaction and dialogue is the best way to resolve not only the intra and inter-state but inter-faith conflicts as well.

'' I think Jammu and Kashmir needs such platforms and such interactions to groom an interactive community of youth,'' Mr Sayeed added.

UNI