Economic integration must for Kashmir solution: Mufti

Washington, Nov 15: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has called for the creation of 'a common economic space' for the people of the state as a step for a solution to the Kashmir issue.

''Let the market override the dividing line,'' he said while speaking on the Kashmir issue at a think tank here yesterday.

He made out a strong case for the economic integration of Kashmir through preferential trade agreement (PTA), creation of common market and introduction of free trade in goods and services.

Mr Sayeed said he would approach the Kashmir issue from the trade angle. He said a small beginning had already been made by allowing people to travel across the border.

''We can have a common disaster management machinery,'' he said referring to last years earthquake in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK).

He said India-Pakistan peace process which began three years ago was irreversible though it has moved ahead in fits and starts.

To drive his point home, he said both New Delhi and Islamabad had given up on their 'old rigid' positions which demonstrated their desire to come to a settlement.

The former Chief Minister said ''another important development is the involvement of the people of Kashmir in the peace process as never before.'' In this context, he referred to the discussions that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had with the Kashmiri leaders both in Srinagar and New Delhi.

Asked about the incidents like Mumbai local train bombings which created problems for the peace process, Mr Sayeed said such problems would remain as there existed elements opposed to a peaceful solution through dialogue.

However, he was confident that the joint mechanism against terrorism agreed to by the Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf during their meeting in Havana could help deal with such problems.

UNI

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