Jammu, Nov 15: Asking Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani to join negotiation table, the former deputy chief minister and senior Peoples Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig Sunday said Azadi was not a realistic solution of Kashmir issue and the leaders like Geelani should realise this fact.
 “Azadi is not a realistic solution to the Kashmir problem and thus sticking to it is not a wiser decision. I invite Geelani to come on the negotiations table to find a feasible resolution of the problem,” Baig said addressing the media on the sidelines of a seminar on “Is Self-Rule a way forward to resolution of Kashmir Problem?”.
 Terming self-rule proposal as realistic and practical solution to address both external and internal dimensions of Kashmir problem, he said that in the given situation this was the best possible solution which was formulated by accommodating aspirations and wishes of all stake holders.
 Earlier addressing the seminar, Baig said besides addressing political issues this (self rule document)was also aimed at economic integration of both parts of Jammu and Kashmir by converting Line of Control (LoC) into line of trade and peace.
 “The self rule aimed at creating Jammu and Kashmir as a bridge between India and Pakistan and both the countries would offer tariff reductions and develop this belt as Regional Free Trade Area. Development of this area as free trade zone would attract maximum foreign direct investment,” he said.
 “Our vision is to move towards an economic union which will maintain free trade in goods and service, set common external tariffs, allow free mobility of capital and labour and will also relegate some fiscal responsibilities to a supra-national agency”, he said. 
 Party president Mehboba Mufti addressing the seminar said that Ladakh and Kargil have already been established as models of self governance and fulfillment of regional aspirations during the period when PDP was in power. “It was the vision of the then chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed that the finical and political power be devaluated to the   people of  vast region of Ladakh  to enable them to take decisions that would ensure over all development”, she added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST