Fulfill earlier commitments with people of J

Srinagar, June 11 (UNI) Welcoming the Prime Minister's remarks on India-Pakistan relations, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the paradigm of friendship between the two countries would, however, be incomplete without a space of dignity and opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the latest declaration of Dr Singh at Berlin that the destinies of the people of India and Pakistan are interlinked and they must find the pathways to resolve issues and live together, shall have no meaning unless the earlier commitments with the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not accomplished.

Reminding Dr Singh of his November 2004 pledge regarding reduction of troops in the state, Mr Sayeed said despite various pronouncements from time to time, the J&K-specific reconciliation and Confidence Building Process, however, seems to be fast loosing its sheen raising serious doubts in the public domain over its credibility.

''Such a disconcerting trend, I am afraid, is not only disturbing, but could have serious implications for the State and the nation,'' he cautioned.

Addressing PDP legislators and the party functionaries from Anantnag and Pulwama districts here today, Mr Sayeed said the current peace process, in a significant measure, owes its strength to the fact that the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had launched it from Kashmir in April 2003 with a message to the people of the State that nothing is valid or should be happening except with their active involvement.

''We observed with dismay that of late hawkish stances have again started nudging the reconciliatory moves,'' he said.

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