Farooq bats for sustained Indo-Pak dialogue

Seeking sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah today said the state would be the biggest beneficiary of peace in the neighbourhood even as he batted for free movement across borders in the subcontinent along the lines of the European Union.
Hostility between the two countries has impacted peace and tranquility in the J-K, he said, adding that he hopes the sub- continent's nations would eschew "myopic tendencies" and work to ensure that people led a peaceful and dignified life.
He also said a situation needs to be created like in the European Union wherein people can move around freely across the various countries.

"If EU could do it, why not India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries," he said at a conference organised by the Bangladesh-Bharat-Pakistan Peace Forum on the importance of initiatives for fostering peace and unity among the three nations.
"How long shall the hostilities of the past cast a dark shadow on the present and future in a fast-changing global scenario," he said.
People in the continent, too, have a right to live in a "free and fearless environment", the National Conference leader said, adding the era of mistrust and suspicion has retarded the growth of the countries in the subcontinent.

"This disgusting situation needs to end," he said while accusing the western powers of "promoting the terror scourge".

India and Pakistan must engage "seriously and purposefully' to take the peace initiative forward as neither country can wish the other away, he said.
Noting that confrontation has no place in bilateral ties, Abdullah hoped the two countries will take concrete steps to continue their interaction.
The former J-K chief minister also underscored his unflinching commitment to secularism and said that is the cornerstone of his party's policies.
He said "unity in diversity" has been the "biggest strength" of J-K and cautioned against those who wanted to end this time-tested ethos. National Conference would stand like a rock against those who "even think of polluting the composite culture of J-K", he added.

Abdullah lauded the people for keeping the flame of secularism alive "during the most testing times" and said this was the only ideal that can lead the state to peace, progress and development.
He also called for channelising the energies of the youth towards positive pursuits.
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Earlier, Abdullah paid tributes to veteran leader Girdhari Lal Dogra and described him as a legendary politician who worked tirelessly for uplift of poor and progress of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Dogra Sahib has left an indelible mark of public service and he continues to be remembered as a towering leader for his tremendous connect with the masses," he said while offering tributes to Dogra on his 29thdeath anniversary.

He said Dogra was among the few leaders of the state whose contribution towards its development is remembered even now.
"As a true democrat, he had earned a niche for himself and endeared so much among the people that he never lost any election," the former Chief Minister said.
"Such people are rare, who keep aside politics and treat everyone equal, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or regional affiliation," the NC President said, adding that he will always remain an inspiration for younger generation of political activists, who really want to serve the people and the state by giving their best.

He said Dogra had unflinching faith in secularism and all his life he worked for strengthening the bonds of amity and brotherhood between various segments of society.