Srinagar, Sep 1: President of ruling National Conference (NC) and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Saturday welcomed dialogue between India and Pakistan saying it will pave way for Kashmir resolution.
“People of Kashmir have been suffering for over half a century. The dialogue process between the neighboring countries must continue so that long pending Kashmir issue is solved,” Dr Farooq said while talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organized by Department of Posts in Srinagar.
The NC president said that time has come for both the countries to settle all issues and they should move forward. “Solution will come up after dialogue and it might take time,” he said and added that he is hopeful for a flourishing trade between the two countries.
Dr Abdullah said that relations between the two countries were improving with each passing day. “External Affairs Minister is going to Pakistan on September 8 and will hold talks with his counterpart. Such things indicate that relations are improving and in long run it will help in resolving Kashmir issue,” Farooq said.
“It was a good sign to see Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Asif Ali Zardari meeting in Tehran during recent NAM summit,” he said.
He said that time had come to forget all issues and concentrate on development in J&K. “We must concentrate on development. Forget all issues. We must not indulge in issues which are immaterial,” he said.
Dr Abdullah said that there had been loss of life and property during past two decades of turmoil. “It is time to concentrate on development, peace and progress. We must not indulge in issues which are immaterial for J&K people,” the NC president said.
He refused to comment on the Justice Saghir Commission’s autonomy proposal over which there is difference between the ruling coalition partners.
He said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is not involved in coal scam and there was no question of his resignation. He said that Singh is ready to answer the questions but it is the opposition BJP which is not ready to listen to him.
Others present on the occasion included Chief Post Master General, J&K Circle, John Samuel, Commissioner SMC, GN Qasba and other senior officials.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 1 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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