Defining moment to make peace process meaningful: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Nov 29 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today said a defining moment has come to make the peace process in Jammu and Kashmir more meaningful and result-oriented.

Addressing a day-long party convention at Anantnag in south Kashmir, she appealed to all the peace-loving forces to come forward and contribute toward the ongoing peace process.

Ms Mufti said her party will push with full vigour and sincerity its agenda for peaceful, dignified and realistic solution of the contentious Kashmir issue.

The time was appropriate for initiating some bold measures to realise the goal of peace and prosperity for not only Jammu and Kashmir, but the entire sub-continent, she added.

The PDP president said initiatives taken during the past four years of the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir have transformed the public mindset in the sub-continent and set the foundation for reconciliation and cooperation.

Highlighting the broader contours of the PDP's self-rule formula, she said the proposal would be acceptable to the people of all regions and sub-regions as it accommodated their aspirations.

The implementation of the proposal would strengthen cordial relations between India and Pakistan, Ms Mufti said, adding the time has now come to bury the past hostilities and march ahead to a new bright and prosperous future.

She said the regions could explore new avenues of economic cooperation through joint ventures in gas, tourism, water and natural resources.

Seeking massive support in carrying forward the people-friendly and beneficial mission devised by the PDP, Ms Mufti hoped that all the people would support it to achieve long-lasting and dignified peace in the trouble-torn state.

UNI AG DKA KN1535