Congress must take lead and resolve Kashmir: Sayeed

Srinagar, Apr 19 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre must take a lead in resolving the contentious Kashmir issue.

''Not only the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but of the entire country want the Kashmir issue to be settled as soon as possible. It will be in the interest of the country in general and the Congress in particular to seize the historic opportunity and amicably settle the problem to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned,'' he told a public meeting at Ganderbal this morning.

Mr Sayeed emphasised that the region's stability could be only ensured through political and economic stability in Jammu and Kashmir. ''Fortunately, there is growing recognition within the region that pursuing the same old Kashmir policies is doing more harm than good,'' he added.

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said the public opinion in both India and Pakistan appeared to be growing to stop these punishing practices, and to pursue creative thinking in search of a settlement of the vexed issue.

He said the sub-continent in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular has suffered immensely due to the lingering problem.

Rather than working for the welfare of the people by improving the quality of life, accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development, Mr Sayeed said India and Pakistan were spending huge public funds for territorial safety.

He said once the Kashmir issue was resolved, both the countries could work towards putting meaningful regional cooperation into practice in a purposeful manner to build a common future, not only for the people of the troubled state, but the whole region.

Mr Sayeed said while former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared his willingness to move off the beaten path in search of a settlement, his successor Manmohan Singh has talked about his dream of building a new and peaceful Kashmir.

''Even Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has repeatedly expressed his interest in new thinking and readiness to be flexible regarding a resolution of the Kashmir issue,'' he added.

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