People-to-people contact can resolve Kashmir issue: Qayyum Khan

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Advocating people-to-people contact as a means to resolve the Kashmir imbroglio, PoK leader Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan today said India and Pakistan should focus on addressing ''immediate issues'', including easing restrictions on cross LoC travel, to provide succour to Kashmiris.

''The peace process is a good initiative... but instead of wasting time on finding lasting solution in one go immediate issues should be addressed to ensure that Kashmiris do not suffer any longer,'' Mr Khan said in his address at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

He said enhanced contact among the people will dispel ''illusions and mistrust'' and help build bridges between the two nations.

''Once people get an opportunity to understand each other the level of tension will come down and create conducive atmosphere for talks,'' Mr Khan, who is here to participate in the second intra Jammu and Kashmir 'Heart-to-Heart'talks, observed.

Mr Khan said trade, communication and free movement across the LoC should be immediately addressed.

''We should have an intra-Kashmir dialogues between leaders and people to discuss the issues heaven won't fall if Kashmiri leaders of both sides meet and discuss their problems. Now, we have started meeting. Has the heaven fallen down?" he said.

He said the CBM's initiated by India and Pakistan can help achieve the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

''If the measures are followed with trust we can travel distance towards resolution of the issue very fast,'' he added.

About demilitarisation, he said the measure needs to be taken on both the sides of the divided simultaneously with other steps to improve the ground situation.

Critising separatists for not attending the third Round Table, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said efforts to find a solution to the issue should be backed.

''If we cannot provide any solution, we can at least back the efforts for finding a solution. Such conclaves should continue in the larger interest of the people,'' he observed.

''I would have loved to attend the Round Table had the government of India invited me... I was in town at that time,'' he added.

Hailing the India-Pakistan peace process, the former 'president' and 'prime minister' of PoK said he was confident that it will be taken to its logical conclusion.

''We will make all out efforts to ensure that the process is taken forward. Any agreement which will restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and keep its people safe should be acceptable to India and Pakistan,'' he added.

Mr Khan said India had responded adequately to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point proposal on Kashmir.

Stating that "this is the century of accidents", Mr Khan called for efforts to help save Kashmiris from this.

Blaming ''the totally senseless security clearance procedures for the of bus services across LOC, Mr Khan suggested opening up of six to seven more routes across the LoC to increase the people-to-people contact.

He said issues like water dispute could be tackled by the joint management mechanism, being suggested by Gen Musharraf.

UNI