Sayeed calls for immediate de-escalation of border tensions

PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Friday called for immediate de-escalation of tension along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the leadership of India and Pakistan to show greater magnanimity and replace hawkish rhetoric with talk of friendship and peace.

"Ironically at a time when the two countries should have been working for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people on both sides of the LoC, they are engaged in virulent and dangerous confrontation along the borders thereby multiplying the miseries of the people whose lives have been shattered by the devastating deluge," Sayeed said in a statement issued here.

He said instead of resorting to a blame game or sounding jingoistic with slogans of strong retaliatory action, the leadership of both countries must immediately resume the snapped process of composite dialogue for resolving all the issues including the recurrent ceasefire violations along the borders.

Peace between the two countries is crucial not only for stability, progress and economic prosperity of the region, but for the sustainment of the budding democratic institutions and forces in Pakistan, said Sayeed, a former state chief minister.

He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have very high stakes in peace as they have to pay heavy costs during any escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.

"For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, peace along the borders and within the mainland is of immense significance and I hope the political leadership of the two countries would also treat it with the same spirit," he said, adding the ceasefire initiative of 2003 had proved to be an event of unrivalled importance for not only the two countries but also for the people in the state.

Sayeed said the LoC ceasefire had not only given the much-needed relief to the people living along the borders, but it had also provided the broad umbrella for the peace process to flourish, and enabled historic initiatives like opening up of bus service across the LoC possible.

He expressed hope that the new National Democratic Alliance government headed by Narendra Modi would follow the path shown by former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while initiating historic steps to normalize relations between India and Pakistan.

"If dialogue with Pakistan was started even after Parliament attack and Kargil conflict there is no reason to adopt adamant attitude this time because there is no other alternative except resumption of peace process and revival of dialogue for establishing lasting peace in this region," he said.

Expressing condolences with the families who lost their near and dear ones in the firing, Sayeed said it is tragic that while the people in Jammu and Kashmir were grappling with the after effects of the devastating flood tragedy, the situation along the borders has only added to their miseries.