Stable Pakistan key to peace on Line of Control, J

Srinagar, Nov 5 (UNI) Wishing Pakistan peace and prosperity, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra said a stable neighbour held the key to peace on the Line of Control (LoC).

He expressed optimism about progressively enhancing cooperation and collaboration in Indo-Pak relations, saying that the people to people contact and the Cross-LoC trade had brought the people of the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir closer.

''A stable Pakistan holds the key to peace on the Line of Control,'' Mr Vohra said while interacting with the officers of the National Defence College, here last evening.

He opined that the cessation of terrorism and a sustained peaceful environment could pave the way for enhanced cooperation in the arena of education, health, tourism, power generation and other sectors.

The Governor observed that despite disturbances and four wars during the past six decades, Jammu and Kashmir has made enviable progress on all the fronts.

He said good neighbourly relations were in the best interests of the people of the sub-continent.

This realisation, he observed, is dawning on the people across the border and 'this is something which holds promise of tranquility in the region'.

He said that continuation of a proxy war and encouragement to terrorism just cannot go-hand in hand without establishing friendly and productive relations.

Mr Vohra also referred to the recent visit of a PoK trade delegation to Kashmir and said they were happy to meet their counterparts and see the high level of development and the quality of life in Jammu and Kashmir.

He described the Cross-Loc trade as an important Confidence Building Measure and said this process had to be given momentum for enhancing relations further between India and Pakistan.

The Governor answered a series of questions relating to internal security, development, cross-border terrorism, overall situation in the State, particularly in the context of the forthcoming Elections.

UNI BAS YSS GT RK1330