Cross-LoC trade welcome step, but should not be symbolic: PDP

Srinagar, Sep 25 (UNI) Welcoming the Indo-Pak joint statement on opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads for trade, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said it should not just be a symbolic exercise, but a fruitful confidence building measure that would have significant political and economic impact not only on the people of Jammu and Kashmir but the whole region.

October 21, 2008 would be a historic day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the divide, he said in a statement here.

He said sacrifices and peaceful mass upsurge of the people of Kashmir has finally made the leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad recognise, respect and respond to their urges and aspirations.

Mr Sayeed said the timely intervention and response of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to the mounting public sentiment in Kashmir is a commendable step in the right direction.

"I am confident that revival of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads for trade would provide a lead for throwing open all other traditional cross-LoC routes including Suchetgarh-Sialkote, Kargil-Skardu and Leh-Mansarover-Tibet roads for free movement of people and goods," he said.

The former Chief Minister stressed the need for making the cross-LoC movement of people and goods a meaningful move.

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