Srinagar: Former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed hope that Pakistan will announce the opening of Kargil-Skardu road among others to facilitate greater people to people contact after approving Sharda Peeth corridor.
The former union minister in NDA government-led by BJP stalwart late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Omar also expressed hope that these steps by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan would be reciprocated by New Delhi after May 23 when election results to Lok Sabha polls would be declared in India.
“After the welcome announcement to open the Sharda Peeth corridor to religious pilgrims by @ImranKhanPTI we hope the government in Pakistan will only announce the Kargil-Skardu road as also other routes to facilitate greater people to people contact,” Omar tweeted.
The Pakistan government on Monday approved a proposal to establish a corridor that will allow pilgrims from India to visit Sharda Peeth, an ancient Hindu temple and cultural site in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to a media report.
The Sharda Peeth corridor, when opened, will be the second religious tract after Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan-controlled territory that will connect the two neighbouring nations.
“One can only hope that in a post May 23rd India these steps will be reciprocated by the central government & we can move towards resuming the comprehensive dialogue between India & Pakistan,” Omar said in another tweet.
“It’s good to see @ImranKhanPTI take decisions that have been held up for years. Allowing greater people to people contact & opening routes to religious pilgrims are always welcome developments that help to ease tensions,” Omar added.
