Move on JK-specific CBMS: Mufti to India, Pak

Jammu, Sep 18: Former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said both India and Pakistan should build on the momentum for peace by agreeing on ''a time-bound implementation of Jammu and Kashmir-specific CBMs.

Addressing a public rally here at the border town of Samba, Mr Sayeed said, ''Now that Indo-Pak composite dialogue has resumed and the peace process is back on track, both the countries must build on the moment by agreeing on time-bound implementation of J&K-specific CBMs.'' As already outlined by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said, New Delhi and Islamabad should facilitate creation of ''a collaborative and consultative mechanism'' between the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

''Creation of such an institutional mechanism is imperative to address the issues of common concern between the various parts of the state,'' said the Congress-led state coalition government partner People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron.

He said constitution of consultative groups comprising personalities of eminence from both sides of the Line of Control (LOC) could be one such measure.

''Till the time a mutually acceptable framework for resolution of the political aspect of the Kashmir problem is worked out, there should be side-by-side tangible movement on promotion of travel, trade, tourism and economic cooperation across the LOC,'' Mr Sayeed said.

Economic cooperation could be fostered by setting up cross-LoC joint committees of experts on trade, tourism, culture, water resources, agriculture, environment, education, handicrafts and disaster management, he further stressed.

Mr Sayeed also called for increasing the frequency of bus services on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads and opening of all the traditional cross-LoC roads, like Suchetgarh-Sialkote and Kargil-Sakardu, for movement of people, goods and setting up of border trade markets.

UNI

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