Calling for immediate de-escalation of tension along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir, Opposition Peoples Democratic Party today asked India and Pakistan to show greater magnanimity and replace the hawkish rhetoric with talk of friendship and peace.
"Ironically at a time when the two countries should have been working for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people on both sides of the LoC, they are engaged in virulent and dangerous confrontation along the borders thereby multiplying the miseries of the people whose lives have been shattered by the devastating deluge," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said in a statement here.
He said instead of resorting to the blame game or sounding jingoistic with slogans of strong retaliatory action, the political leadership of the two countries must immediately resume the snapped process of composite dialogue for resolving all the issues including the recurrent ceasefire violations along the borders.
"New Delhi and Islamabad must without delay open the channels of communication realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders," he said.
Sayeed said peace between the two countries is crucial not only for stability, progress and economic prosperity of the region, but for the sustainment of the budding democratic institutions and forces in Pakistan.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have very high stakes in peace as they have to pay heavy costs during any escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.
"For the people of Jammu and Kashmir peace along the borders and within the mainland is of immense significance and I hope the political leadership of the two countries would also treat it with the same spirit," he said.
