New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged the Modi Government to 'revive Lahore Declaration so that we can live peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir.'
CM's remarks come a day after she had warned the government against diluting Article 370, which grants special status to the state.
Lahore Declaration refers to the agreement signed between India and Pakistan after the Kargil War. The treaty, signed by then Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Pak counterpart Pervez Musharraf on February 21, 1999, entails minimum interference in each other's internal affairs and de-escalation of conflict through several strategic measures.
I appeal Centre to revive Lahore Declaration so that we can live peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti pic.twitter.com/VMViaASOcA
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 29, 2017
Here are excerpts of the historic 'Lahore Declaration 1999'
The Prime Ministers of the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan... have agreed that their respective Governments:
#shall intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
#shall refrain from intervention and interference in each other's internal affairs.
#shall intensify their composite and integrated dialogue process for an early and positive outcome of the agreed bilateral agenda.
#shall take immediate steps for reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons and discuss concepts and doctrines with a view to elaborating measures for confidence building in the nuclear and conventional fields, aimed at prevention of conflict.
#reaffirm their commitment to the goals and objectives of SAARC and to concert their efforts towards the realisation of the SAARC vision for the year 2000 and beyond with a view to promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development.
#reaffirm their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and their determination to combat this menace.
#shall promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Jammu and Kashmir CM also urged Centre to focus on curbing trans-border drug trade instead of halting export import between India and Pakistan.
