No alternative to reconciliation between India and Pak: PDP

Srinagar, Aug 18: The ruling Peoples Democratic Party today said the heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) should remind India and Pakistan about the "inevitability of dialogue" to find a just and pragmatic solution to all the contentious issues.

Asserting that there was no alternative to reconciliation between the neighbouring nations, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti underlined the importance of finding a solution to the jolt received by the peace process, in the wake of a series of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the recent past.

"PDP visualizes and is striving for a space of dignity and opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in a larger paradigm of friendship between India and Pakistan.

We cannot visualize any alternative to reconciliation and dialogue between our country and Pakistan.

"The hostility between the two countries has hit the people of the state the hardest and the incidents on the borders and LoC should keep reminding the two countries the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a just and pragmatic solution to all the contentious issues," she said.

Mehbooba was addressing a party workers convention in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. She expressed grief and shock over the recent civilian killings in Balakote sector of district Poonch in shelling from across the border.

"While I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of innocent victims of cross-border shelling, I would request the stakeholders to de-escalate the tension and allow the people of the state to live in peace," she said.

The Anantnag MP reiterated that attempts are being made to subvert the peace process in the Valley and asked the Prime Minister to step up his efforts in the wake of such attempts.

"With a decisive mandate at his back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the opportunity to revive the process of reconciliation in the sub-continent.

The prevailing alarming situation along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir necessitates the urgency of reviving the composite dialogue process," she said.

PTI