PDP hopes Centre would revive peace process with Pakistan

muftimohammadsayeedSRINAGAR: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party today expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would revive the peace and resolution process within Kashmir and with Pakistan to ensure durable peace and stability in the region.

“We hope that armed with a clear mandate, the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre will revive the peace and resolution process not only within Kashmir but with Pakistan as well to ensure durable peace and stability in the South Asian region,” PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said.

Interacting with people during his extensive tour of various areas of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the former Chief Minister said he was optimistic that the new government would carry forward the resolution process pioneered by former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee in 2003.

“I am optimistic that the new government at the Centre will pick up and carry forward the resolution process both on internal and external fronts which was pioneered by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003 and taken onward by Manmohan Singh.

“I hope the new government, under the leadership of Modi, will take tangible measures, by involving all the stakeholders, to address the causes of alienation and trust deficit in Kashmir and work towards finding a long-lasting solution to the problem plaguing the region for the past more than six decades,” the PDP patron said.

Seeking decisive mandate for his party, Sayeed said the forthcoming Assembly elections are a test for the “wisdom and foresight” of the people as they will be chalking out an entirely “new course” for the state’s political leadership.

“These elections will be historically transformational as they are being contested in a situation marked by extraordinary political permutations. The challenge lies in converting these polls into a momentous opportunity for not only bringing about inclusive socio-economic development across the state, but reviving the resolution and reconciliation process for the permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue,” he said.–PTI