British Kashmiris have welcomed the agreement between Pakistan and India on starting Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service in April and termed it a major confidence building measure. In their comments here on Friday they said that it would help unite the divided families on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). Professor Nazir Shawl, Executive Director Justice Foundation Kashmir Centre London on Friday welcomed the announcement by Pakistan and India, to launch the bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar.
"The bus service is a major confidence building measure which is Kashmir-centric" he said in a statement here on Friday.
Kashmiri leadership, he said, was delighted that travel between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar would not require a passport as this acknowledged the disputed status of Kashmir. "The bus service should be construed as a beginning towards fruitful progression and indicates a definite move away from the status quo."
He emphasised the importance of approaching the Kashmir problem rationally, realistically and positively and hoped this decision would be followed by corresponding confidence building measures on the ground.
These included: the withdrawal of heavy concentration of troops in Indian occupied Kashmir, repeal of draconian legislation, an end to persistent and serious human rights violations, the release of all political detainees and freedom to travel for the Kashmiri leadership.
Such steps could pave the way for a final settlement of the core issue of Kashmir in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiris.
President of Muslim Conference UK Mehmood Riaz and its Vice President Raja Muhammad Ayub Khan said the announcement was headway and a positive development. This will help reduce the agony of Kashmiri families by enabling them to meet each other, he added.
They hoped this would follow more steps to give relief to the people of Kashmir in Indian occupied Kashmir. The ultimate goal for the people of Kashmir was to achieve their right to self-determination, they added.