Ease travel formalities across LoC: Baig to Centre

Srinagar, June 23: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig has urged the Centre to ease formalities for travel on buses across the Line of Control (LoC).

Addressing a series of pubic meetings in Baramulla district, he welcomed the opening of the Poonch-Rawalakote road for traffic.

Mr Baig also demanded opening of the Jammu-Sialkote road for movement of people across the LoC. Trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was expected to give the state's economy a big boost, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the coalition government was pursuing a multi-pronged approach to peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. The emerging scenario of friendship between India and Pakistan was in the best interests of the state, he added.

Mr Baig said the coalition government earnestly desired that the friendship between the two countries strengthened with each passing day. Peace and development were the pre-requisites for taking Jammu and Kashmir on the path of prosperity.

The PDP leader said the state government pursued the dialogue process with all seriousness and asserted that all issues would be resolved only through negotiations.

The state government, as a matter of policy, was committed to change the development profile of the state, he added.

Mr Baig asserted that the coalition government was firmly placed and the alliance would continue even after the 2008 elections.

UNI