Srinagar: Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday said peace and political stability were imperative for development and economic prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir as it welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan to defuse tension along borders in the region.
"The latest agreement between India and Pakistan to maintain peace along the borders, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, is an encouraging move and we would be looking forward to consolidation of peace efforts in the region," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said while addressing a party convention in north Kashmir's Bandipora district.
At the conclusion of the three-day DG-level talks between Border Security Force and Pak Rangers in New Delhi yesterday, the two sides agreed to jointly resolve sensitive issues like ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration besides deciding to put a complete ban on firing of mortar shells along International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir which has claimed the lives of several civilians.
Terming the 2003 ceasefire agreement as the most significant step taken by the two countries for sustainability of peace process, Mehbooba, Member of Parliament from south Kashmir's Anantnag constituency, said the truce should be maintained at any cost.
"People of Jammu and Kashmir have highest stakes in peace as they are the worst sufferers of hostility in the region," she said.
Stating that normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan was in the interest of both the countries, the PDP president expressed hope that the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad would lead the dialogue and peace process from the front to usher the region into an era economic prosperity.
"If bilateral trade worth millions of rupees can go on between the two countries daily via Wagah border, why to indulge blood spilling along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Instead of trading canon fire and charges, India and Pakistan should trade goods through Line of Control as is being done in Punjab," she said.
Mehbooba said the present situation necessitates some bold measures to build people's confidence and address their genuine developmental concerns.
