Azad for 'joint management' of J&K

The CM suggests joint management in tourism, water resources and trade.

Ahead of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Islamabad, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that India and Pakistan could make headway on the Kashmir issue by working out a plan for "joint management" of trade, tourism and water resources in the two parts of the region.

HT Image

Talking to reporters after a 30-minute meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Azad said he hoped the discussions that have been taking place between New Delhi and Islamabad would be finalised so that the Kashmir issue was resolved for all time to come.

He was replying to a question on his expectations from Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan next week.

About the joint management formula mooted by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Azad said, "Well, we can have joint management in tourism, water resources and trade between the two parts of Kashmir.

"At least there should be no problem from that side to such proposals. After all, they need to spell out what they mean by joint management. Such formulas need to be discussed in black and white rather than being heard only on radio and television," said Azad, who earlier met Mukherjee and Finance Minister P Chidambaram.