National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that sustained Indo-Pak friendship was imperative for peace in the sub-continent and would help resolve Kashmir dispute.
Addressing gatherings in Qazigund and Bijbehara on Saturday, Abdullah welcomed the message of reconciliation and engagement from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan.
He said the central government in New Delhi should “reciprocate it positively without wasting any time”.
Farooq said the people of Kashmir were the biggest victims of hostility and animosity between India and Pakistan.
“Time has come to tread a new path of mutual cooperation, peace and friendship so that both countries could reap the dividends of peace and progress,” he said.
“The common challenges of poverty, lack of education, inadequate healthcare and violence need to be tackled in an atmosphere of trust and friendship.”
Abdullah said Imran Khan’s remarks deserved appreciation and were a welcome indication of a yearning for peace in Pakistan. “We hope that the new government in Pakistan takes concrete steps to peacefully address all outstanding issues with the central government in New Delhi including that of Kashmir,” said Abdullah.