Stable, democratic Pakistan good for entire sub-continent: Mufti

Srinagar, Mar 26 (UNI) Welcoming the new era of democracy in Pakistan, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said a stable, prosperous and democratic neighbour was in the interest of entire sub-continent.

Mr Mufti stressed the need to accelerate the peace process and transformation of bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan into a mutually beneficial partnership.

Now the leadership of the both countries must resolve to grow the relations to the best, which they had never enjoyed in the past.

Mr Mufti said there was a strong public sentiment in both the countries in favour of accelerating the peace process and establishing a cooperative framework for the bilateral relations.

The PDP patron said it was the need of the hour to build upon the progress already achieved and work expeditiously, through the dialogue process, towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

There was a common desire, Mr Sayeed said, to establish a neighbourhood of peace and progress based on greater linkages between the people.

Addressing a public meeting in the central Kashmir district of Badgam, Mr Sayeed said very soon people would find Kashmir becoming a hub of trade and economic activities, as the time was not far-off when Srinagar-Muzzaffarabad road would be opened for truck services transporting goods across the border.

Mr Sayeed said coalition government led the peace process from the front with a significant impact on the ground.

He said the party's demand for reduction of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was a part of the same process, and such measures were now assuming urgency in view of the fast changing scenario where the civil society and democratic institutions have a greater field play in consolidating the peace initiatives.

UNI BAS PK KN1826