Mufti hails joint statement, calls for cessation of hostilities

Jammu, Sep 17 (UNI) Welcoming the resumption of composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said both the countries have cleared the way for the peace process to be raised to a higher level that should ultimately culminate with peaceful resolution of all the issues, including Kashmir.

In a statement issued here today, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron said the joint statement that followed the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf at Havana last night has signaled a new readiness 'to embrace fresh ideas' in search for 'pragmatic, feasible and practical solutions' to the problems of the region.

The joint statement indicates the desire of both the leaders to break away from the past and take a new path to establish long lasting peace in the region, he said adding the decision of the two leaders to continue the search for mutually acceptable options for peaceful settlement of all issues including 'Kashmir' has given a new hope to the people of the state.

Echoing the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Sayeed said, a solution to the Kashmir issue must be perceived as honourable and implementable by the parties concerned. All sides now realise that their stated positions of the last 59 years are not realistic and compromises will have to be made to workout a mutually acceptable solution of this wrangled problem, he said and added that the views and involvement of the people from all regions of the state is important for any lasting solution.

Calling for complete cessation of hostilities in Jammu and Kashmir as a positive follow up to the Havana declaration, Mr Sayeed said it would be a grand gift from Dr Singh and Mr Musharraf to the people of the state, if they could put an end to the conflict and tragic destruction of life and property and lead the region towards peace and economic prosperity.

He said PDP strongly supports the Prime Minister's stand that the Kashmir problem be confronted with an open mind and in good faith to find innovative and out-of-the-box solutions instead of sticking to the hackneyed and worn-out slogans. Mr Sayeed said PDP visualizes a future in which the people on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) will together gradually and substantially benefit by growing commerce and trade in the region.

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