Border dwellers pin hopes on Imran to end hostilities

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 18

The election of Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan has rekindled a ray of hope among border dwellers of Jammu plains who have been bearing the brunt of hostilities between the two neighbouring countries.

Unlike other politicians of Pakistan, Imran Khan’s image is ‘liberal’ which is why the border residents are optimistic that he will take some concrete steps to establish sustainable and lasting peace along the International Border (IB).

“We are hopeful that Pakistan’s new Prime Minister will realise that peace is imperative for the overall growth of people living on both sides of the border,” said Raghubir Singh, chairman of the Border Sangharsh Samiti.

Raghubir Singh, who is the ex-sarpanch of Changia village situated at the zero line on the IB, said he hoped Pakistan’s new regime would maintain sanctity of the ceasefire agreement signed by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with his Pakistani’s counterpart in 2003.

“Respecting 2003 ceasefire will be a befitting tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee from Pakistan’s side,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, senior vice-president of the Border Action Committee of Kathua, said dwellers on both sides of the border were bearing the brunt of violence.

Border residents have reasons to pin hopes on Khan because he had already announced that his government would favour improving ties with India.

Mirwaiz felicitates new Pak PM

Srinagar: Senior separatist leader and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar  Farooq on Saturday greeted Imran Khan on taking over as the 22nd Prime Minster  of Pakistan, hoping him to be “instrumental in Kashmir resolution and peace on the subcontinent”. “Mirwaiz while felicitating Imran Khan for taking oath as the Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan extended best wishes and prayers from the people of J&K,” the Hurriyat said in a statement. TNS