Srinagar, September 1
Mainstream and separatist political parties have expressed optimism over the proposed talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf during the forthcoming Havana NAM summit 
and the UN General Assembly.

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed hoped the meeting would facilitate continuation of the peace process. He said the continuation of the peace process was not only in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but the whole subcontinent as well. He said Indo-Pakistan relations had direct impact on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and people here pinned hopes on the peace process as they, for the first time, see some forward movement towards the peaceful and amicable settlement of the Kashmir problem.

“It has always been our firm belief that the peace process is irreversible and the present strain in relations is a temporary phenomenon that would soon transform into a new beginning for peace and reconciliation,” Mufti said in a statement here today.

He said there could be no better opportunity than the one provided by the NAM summit, where Dr Manmohan Singh and Pervez Musharraf, leaving behind the recent bitterness in relations, would make a fresh beginning to put the peace process back on track. “I hope both leaders would explore ways and means on how to carry forward the peace process and set the agenda for peace and progress of the region”, he said.

He urged both countries to stand firm on the path of peace and reconciliation, which would be the best rebuff to the saboteurs of the peace process.

Referring to the proposed meeting between the two leaders, APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Maulvi Umar Farooq, said the opportunity would pave the way for positive developments in the dialogue process. He expressed hope that the two leaders would ensure the forward movement in this process by taking certain bold steps.

In his address at the 
Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here today, the Mirwaiz said that would also help in removing the recent development of “misunderstanding” on the 
two sides.

“Presently issues at the global level are being sorted out by reconciliatory and dialogue process. The leadership of India and Pakistan should also speed up 
the process to seek an amicable and permanent resolution of Kashmir issue,” the Mirwaiz 
said. He added that this would lead to everlasting peace and a new era 
of development and progress.