Jammu: Two senior People's Democratic Forum (PDF) leaders and Ministers in the
ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir on April 13 asked the Centre to announce a
unilateral ceasefire before starting any dialogue process to resolve Kashmir issue.
"Unilateral ceasefire can provide a congenial atmosphere to find a lasting solution
to the problem," PDF chairman Mohiuddin Sofi and its organiser Hakeem Yasin said in
a joint statement.
They urged the Centre to invite all parties and groups in the state for a meaningful
dialogue to pave the way for success of the mission of Centre's interlocutor N N
Vohra.
"There is need to pay heed to voices from all quarters. Only then the prevailing
bloodshed can stop," Sofi, the Forest Minister, and Yasin, the Revenue Minister,
said.
Appealing to all political and separatist groups to show flexibility, they said
dialogue with Pakistan should be initiated to resolve all pending issues.
Welcoming Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's coming visit to Kashmir, the PDF
leaders hoped he would announce a comprehensive economic and employment package for
the state.
Stating the biggest challenge facing the coalition government in the state is
increasing unemployment, both the Ministers stressed the need for taking concrete
measures towards solving this problem.
"This is possible only if the Centre comes forward to pull the state out of the
present crisis," they said, adding "The Prime Minister is sincere in mitigating
sufferings of the people on economic and employment fronts."
PTI
