Srinagar: The Opposition PDP on Tuesday expressed concern over the suspension of trade and travel across the Line of Control (LoC) due to seizure of drugs, saying the peace process should not become hostage to any isolated unlawful act or event.
"The (cross)-LoC trade and travel are the only achievements for the people of Jammu and Kashmir since independence in their effort to end the siege around the state," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said in a statement.
He said while there is a need for action to curb any attempt to take undue advantage of this "only window of opportunity" between the people of both sides, it will prove a huge setback to the process of reconciliation started in 2003 if appropriate measures are not taken to reverse the slide.
"The decade-long process has been threatened on many occasions and recently by ceasefire violations, but this needs to be safeguarded against any subversion, as it offers a foundation for realisation of a new and achievable vision about Jammu and Kashmir and the entire region," he said.
Mufti said the reports about a breakthrough on taking Indo-Pak trade to the next level, in the wake of recent meeting between the Commerce ministers of the two countries, represent a positive development.
"But, the hiccups in the trade and travel between the two sides of Jammu and Kashmir assume more negativity and feed cynicism in the state when viewed in the backdrop of increased activity across Wagah border," he added.
The PDP patron said it is unfortunate that the trade and travel between the two sides has not developed to the level, as it should have been this time, but expressed hope that the "two countries will read the writing on the wall and do away with the past baggage of hatred and animosity”. He said it is time the ministry concerned in the Union government takes up the matter with their counterparts in Pakistan and come up with some solution to end the ongoing stalemate.
Meanwhile, Awami Muttahida Mahaz (AMM) regretted the continuing stand-off on the LoC trade and travel and impressed upon the authorities of the two countries to mutually sort out the issues surfaced after the latest incident at Kaman Post.
"It is unfortunate that the events triggered by the seizure of contraband have led to derailment of the confidence building measures in place for the people living across the divide," AMM said in a statement.
AMM appealed to the leadership of the two countries to intervene and put an end to the stalemate on trade across the LoC in the larger interests of the people of the region.
