Jammu: The People’s Democratic Party alleged free trade between India and Pakistan should not be limited to the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, but lengthen to other ‘traditional routes’ also.

PDP patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed articulated the recommencement of business between the two countries was “indicative of the inevitability of the peace process in the larger economic interest of the region."

He also said that the Indo-Pak dialogue process was passing on the accurate path, ‘despite occasional hiccups.’

While addressing the party's foundation day function, Mufti said, “free movement of people and goods should not be confined to Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road only, but must be extended to all the traditional routes including Suchetgarh-Sialkote, Kargil-Skardu, Bandipora-Gurez-Gilgit, Poonch-Rawalakote and Nowshera-Mirpur roads.”

Mr. Mufti said there were thorns on both sides, but the harmony process had moved to the front progressively and internally too. A framework of dialogue was established by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh through the Round Table Conferences.

But, "various groups within the state should also reconcile their positions on the inevitability of the unconditional dialogue" and the Centre should take solid steps in the direction of achievement of the commendations of the PM's Working Groups, he said.