Resolution of Kashmir issue can't be put into cold storage: PDP

Opposition PDP in Jammu and Kashmir today appealed to the governments of India and Pakistan to rise up to the expectations of people for resolution of the vexed Kashmir issue.

"The resolution of the Kashmir issue cannot be put into cold storage anymore without risking the future of the region," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said.

Addressing a function at the party headquarters here, Mufti said the overwhelming opinion of people in South Asia was in favour of a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in order to realise full development potential of the region.

"It is for the governments of India and Pakistan to rise up to the expectations of their people who constitute one of the largest human masses on the planet," he said.

Mufti also called for the resumption of stalled dialogue process at the level of foreign ministers between the two countries.

He said the interests and stakes of one-and-a-half billion people cannot be held hostage to the routine political developments.

"It could well be the New Year resolution for the Peoples Democratic Party to channelise public opinion in all regions of the state for solution of Kashmir problem, strengthening of democratic institutions and processes, and introducing accountability in governance," he said.

Mufti alleged that the policy of repression of the state government had cost hundreds of lives and a large number of youths were still being targeted.