Friday, March 24 2006 20:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Welcoming the inauguration of bus service between Amritsar and Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference today (Mar 24, 2006) said it considers the move as a step towards peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.

"We consider moves like this (running of bus service between Amritsar and Nankana Sahib) as a step towards peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue," Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told a Friday congregation before leaving for Pakistan today.

The bus service was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Amritsar today.

Mirwaiz demanded speeding up the process of resolution of Kashmir issue.

"Kashmir is a human problem. The two countries should respect the sacrifices and wishes of people of Jammu and Kashmir and speed up the process for resolving the long-standing issue," he said.

The Mirwaiz left for Pakistan to attend a convention being organised by the World Social Forum to discuss political and economic issues of the world.

As many as 80 politicians, scholars and intellectuals from different countries are attending the convention to be held in Karachi tomorrow.

"I am leaving for Karachi to attend the historic convention which is important in nature as it enables me to explain the ground realities and political situation of Kashmir," Mirwaiz said.