India, Pak will have to show political will to resolve issues: Mufti

Srinagar:  Welcoming decisions taken in the recently held Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, former Chief Minister and patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Saturday advocated involvement of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in formulating any roadmap for the resolution of Kashmir issue.“We welcomed the positive beginning made by Indo-Pak foreign secretaries and the leadership of both the countries will have to show political will to resolve the issue,” Sayeed said while addressing a public meeting at Mendhar Poonch in Jammu region. He, however, cautioned that sustainable peace in this region was not possible without involvement of people of Jammu and Kashmir in the process of solving the vexed Kashmir problem.Pointing towards political developments in Pakistan, Sayeed said that strengthening of the democracy in the country would help in creating an atmosphere more conducive for the resolution of Kashmir problem and further accelerating the process of peace and reconciliation.He observed that the way democratic system has been strengthening in Pakistan was a positive development in the growth of democracy in the region and would create a sobering effect all over the sub-continent.“Strong and sustainable democracy in Pakistan is in the interest of the people of this sub-continent,” he said and referred towards the emergence of a strong civil society in Pakistan. He said that civil society in Pakistan has taken a stand both against military dictatorship and terrorism. “With the strengthening of democratic forces in Pakistan, it is easier to pursue the policy of reconciliation and dialogue,” he said.Reiterating his stand that dialogue was the only way to restore lasting peace in this sub-continent, he stressed on the need of taking more Confidence Building Measures (CBM) to take the peace process to the logical end. Responding to the demands of local people, Mufti strongly demanded that farmers whose land has been situated beyond the fencing on Line of Control (LoC) should not be harassed and be allowed to move freely in their fields. “We will effective take up issue on appropriate forums to stop harassment of the farmers”, he said.Sayeed also demanded that Tatapani point on LoC be also be opened for the movement of people and goods on both sides of border. “More and more points be opened on the LoC to facilitate movement of people across the LoC,” he demanded and expressed his concern over inordinate delay in taking decision on the applications of those who have applied for permission to visit other side of the Loc.