Resumption of Kashmir Bus Service a Prelude to SA Peace: Qayyum
By Raza Mumtaz - Pakistan Times Executive Editor

ISLAMABAD: Eminent Kashmiri leader, Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan has said that resumption of the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad is a significant omen which shall, eventually result into the solution of the Kashmir Issue, exactly in line with the aspirations of the people of the Himalayan State.

Sardar Qayyum, who is the Supreme Head of the All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference, the ruling party of Azad Kashmir was talking to ‘Pakistan Times’ and ‘Kashmir Tribune’ Thursday on his return from overseas visit.

‘It is a wonderful step’ was the remark of the apex and venerated Kashmiri leader, which, he said ‘should have been taken long ago.’ Yet, he said that ‘this is not a novel measure ‘as it existed smoothly till 1956.’

Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, who has been the President as well as the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, several times since 1948 felt optimistic that the set off of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service shall eventually help trim down the the magnitude of tension between India and Pakistan—as the two nuke neighbors once turned close to a nuclear war in 2001 with an eyeball-to-eyeball pose along the frontiers as well as along the Line of Control [LoC] in Kashmir.

‘Now when the two countries have agreed to a noteworthy aspect, it is ought to be welcomed by all’, he added.

The AJKMC Supreme Head said; ‘this step would prove a guide vis-à-vis related features with the solution of the Kashmir Issue—in a phased mode and manner.’ He said; ‘things should be not be taken in haste, instead ground realities should be kept in view.’

The reason being that every sensitive dispute takes time in its pragmatic solution’, he remarked by adding; ‘with this perception, the accord on bus service is a major breakthrough.’ He said; ‘this must be taken in good faith and with a positive approach by very-one who analyses this development.’

Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan hoped that India shall stay sincere to this preamble for the resurgence of a durable peace in South Asia, which is and has been facing a lot of perils in the past. Not only that the regional serenity stayed at stake, even the over a billion plus populous of this part of the Orb remained deprived of minimum affluence.

‘Interim measures like this [the bus service] would by all certainties help edifice a lasting solution of all the issues—including the Kashmir dispute’, he said and added; ‘the newest concord should be deemed apposite.’ This shall not only soften the overall scenario along the LoC, but would also help bring back together the innocent families, who were segregated by the upshot of the perilous environs.

At the same time, the AJKMC Supreme Head felt optimistic that India would stop the rein of terror across the LoC and bring the violation of human rights to an end—forthwith. By all parameters of justice and fair play New Delhi is required, at the first phase, to pull out its troops from civilian populated areas in occupied Kashmir for the establishment of good friendly relations between India and Pakistan which are much needed for regional as well as global tranquility.

‘No, it is neither a defeat nor a triumph of any-one’ was the answer of the highly-admired Kashmiri leader when asked if he would consider the resumption of the bus service as the victory of Pakistan’s standpoint. He said; ‘since it is with the mutual consent of the two countries, it should be interpreted by realism.’

Nonetheless, he said; ‘we shall have to remain vigilant as there still exists a set of people who would try to put every accomplishment up-side-down. Every patriot shall have to frustrate the designs of such elements—wherever they exit.

Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan, however have had all praise for President General Pervez Musharraf, who he said gripped all sorts of risks and hazards to peace in South Asia with a great intellect and marvelous approach like beaming icons of flexibility.

This point of view of the President of Pakistan has not only been eulogized in South Asia but factually the world-over. This futuristic vision of General Musharraf is , in fact the podium of the situation which has bailed this part of the planet out of all sorts of dangers, he observed.

About his visit to the United States and the UK, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan said; ‘it has been quite helpful in gazing at the global scenario—with focus on Kashmir atop. He said; though it was not a planned visit, yet it afforded ample opportunities to interact with leaders who are concerned with the situation in South Asia.

An in-depth interaction with the Pakistani and Kashmiris community in both the countries simultaneously proved fruitful. It was a matter of delight that every-one of them is fully well-acquainted with the developments in South Asia and most explicitly with satisfaction.

AJKMC President hails Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus

President Muslim Conference (MC), Sardar Attique Thursday termed the initiative of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service as a welcome step.

The accord will give an opportunity to meet divided-families living both sides of LoC first time from the last 57 years, he said while talking to a private tv channel.

He said that Kashmiris living both sides of Line of Control (LoC) are welcoming the decision.

A breakthrough has been achieved in the peace process by  starting the bus service between the two countries, he said.

He hoped that this decision would help the two countries moving positively and productively towards resolution of Kashmir issue.

Sardar Attique said "the initiative is a win-win situation for all  the three parties to the Kashmir dispute which are Pakistan, India and Kashmiris." ●