PDP Chief-spokesperson and Former Parliamentarian, Dr. Mehboob Beg has hailed Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti’s statement in Legislative Council regarding extension of trade and travel links across the Line of Control (LoC). Terming it as a historical moment, Dr. Beg said that it shows Mehbooba Mufti’s intent and conviction in ensuring better relations and human contact across the LoC, which would directly benefit people on both sides. Dr. Beg welcomed the proposal of banking facilities for cross LoC trade and the growing intent towards ensuing better facilities and trading opportunities to the people.“The legalizing of Nepal route to facilitate the arrival of Kashmiris who wish to return to their motherland is a welcome step, merely having a facility available without having its legalities is no good. The Chief Minister is working with the Government of India to legalize the whole procedure, so that the Kashmiris who wish to return reach their homes and do not rot in jails, as was the case till now”, said Dr. Beg.Dr. Beg further welcomed the idea of opening-up the Kargil-Skardu road as the same he said will serve as a gateway to the central Asian countries. Dr. Beg said that such initiatives of opening-up routes like Kargil-Skardu, Jammu-Sialkote, Turtuk-Khapulu, Chammb-Jorian, Gurez—Astoor-Gilgit, Titwal-Chilhan and Jhangar-Mirpur will help boost the state’s economy. “It was Mufti Sahab who spearheaded and successfully ensured opening-up of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad as well as the Poonch-Rawalkote route and Mehbooba Mufti is ensuring that his great work and vision is taken forward”, said Dr. Beg. (KNS)