Jammu, Apr 3: Welcoming the moves to restore full democracy in Pakistan, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed today expressed hope that it would help create an atmosphere more conducive to resolution of Kashmir problem.
 In a statement issued here he said the changes sought to be brought about through the constitutional package introduced in that country’s parliament could strengthen democratic forces throughout South Asia, create a sobering effect and help build bridges of understanding.
 Mufti said the rare unanimity witnessed among the political parties of Pakistan in arriving at the reform proposals should be seen as a positive development in the growth of democracy in the region. Our country, he said, has the highest stakes in this development which needs to be appreciated.
 Referring to the emergence of a strong civil society in Pakistan, Mufti said it had performed creditably both against military dictatorship and terrorism. While various instruments of state like judiciary, executive and the media will still take time in developing into a cohesive system, the process could be accelerated with help from our institutions, he added. He said the open war against terrorism that Pakistani society and the state were fighting could have invaluable dividends for peace and development in the region as a whole.
 Mufti said it was futile to push Kashmir resolution to the backburner and hope it would disappear with time. That strategy has not worked in the past and it had no hope of success in future too. He said the state has been passing through very hard times as a result of unresolved status of core issues facing it and unless the peace process started in 2003 is revitalised, nothing could be achieved to reduce the pains of the people.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST