Indo-Pak coop must for resolving Kashmir issue amicably: PDP

Srinagar, Nov 25 (UNI) Welcoming the revival of the Indo-Pak composite dialogue process, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue is possible in a space provided by cooperative relationship between the two neighbours.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Sayeed expressed the hope that the ongoing visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to New Delhi, would not only rejuvenate the sagging peace process, but infuse a new life into the Jammu and Kashmir-specific cross-Line of Control (LoC) Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), moving at a ''painfully'' slow pace.

''While the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads for trade is a CBM of immense significance, the two countries must, however, remove the existing hiccups to make the cross-LoC trade meaningful and fruitful for the people of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the divide,'' he said.

The issues of communication, currency transaction and banking facilities need to be addressed with a sense of urgency, he demanded.

Mr Sayeed said people of Jammu and Kashmir would like the two countries to work out a cooperative mechanism in which the whole State substantially benefits by the growing cross-border commerce, trade and tourism in the region.

More UNI BAS SB AS1652