Jammu Feb 24: The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday said that extending hand of friendship towards India was in the best interest of Pakistan.
“It is universal fact that friends can be replaced but neighbors cannot be changed, and same holds true with respect to India and Pakistan. Therefore, it is in the best interest of Pakistan to extend hand of friendship towards India,” Omar said while addressing a gathering here.
 “World is aware about the fact that situation is Pakistan is not conducive. The neighboring country has to play a positive role to create a peaceful atmosphere,” he added.
 Referring to the exchange of fire on the Line of Control and near the borders, Omar said, “Firing incidents have adverse affect on the people living on borders. As a good neighbor, Pakistan has to play a vital role in turning these borders as abode of peace and tranquility.”
 He said that Pakistan had always promised that they would not allow their land to be used for any abnormal activity and it was expected that it would fulfill the promises.
 The Chief Minister, reiterated his determination to make Jammu and Kashmir as a model state, so that all the regions whether it is Kashmir, Jammu or Ladakh, have equal opportunities to prosper and progress.
 The Chief Minister said that the recently approved project for constructing artificial lake in Jammu, with an estimated cost of Rs.25 crore, was the basic desire of his grand father Sher-I Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, who was desirous that like Dal lake, Jammu people should have also a lake so that it adds beauty of this important winter capital of our State.
 The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that since the present Government took over, some forces have been trying their best to divert the attention of people from the basic developmental activities. They tried to misuse innocent sentiment of people in the  name of region, religion and caste by fomenting  trouble  through this exploitation but I want to convey them a message a today that National Conference and Congress shall face and defeat all such forces with our strong ideology which is based on secularism and mutual brotherhood, we do not believe in playing religious or regional politics and our workers belong to all religions, regions and castes, therefore, we do not represent one community or one region. Our goal is to usher Jammu and Kashmir State towards new era of progress and development”, he maintained.
 He said that certain quarters unleashed a propaganda that the Government will not be able to spend the money but today I congratulate all my cabinet colleagues and the officers, working with them, as expenditure has crossed beyond 80 per cent in various sectors and districts and Government Institutions have shown good progress on ground.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST