Thursday, May 26 2005 07:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As Hurriyat yesterday (May 25, 2005) announced its decision to undertake much-desired visit to Pakistan, the latest situation and developments in Jammu and Kashmir were reviewed at the meetings the state Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed held with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Centre's Special Representative N N Vohra in New Delhi.

Sayeed and Patil, who met for 50 minutes, favoured maximum people-to-people contact followed by establishment of trade relations, official sources said.

Emphasising that the peace process needed to be strengthened, the two leaders shared the view that "all efforts and endeavours" have to be made to safeguard the benefits of the ongoing peace process.

The meeting, held in the backdrop of Hurriyat decision to travel by Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus on June 2, noted the "positive impact" that opening of the road had made.

Both Patil and Sayeed noted that it was playing a significant role in uniting the divided families, they said.

The Chief Minister said he was confident that Kashmir, which was a bone of contention between India and Pakistan, will act as a "bridge" between the two countries.

Patil expressed satisfaction at the changed scenario in JK.

Earlier, Sayeed met Vohra for about 90 minutes during which the overall situation of the State was reviewed.

Various issues, related to security, development and political areas, were discussed during the meeting.

The Hurriyat decision to visit Pakistan at the latter's invitation also came up for discussion at the meetings. The Government is not inclined to prevent the visit.