The People's Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] took credit on Monday for the opening of the Line of Control at five points, saying the move sends a powerful message that India and Pakistan will not allow derailment of the peace process, which was initiated by the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government.

The PDP, which prepares to hand over power to its coalition partner the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir on November 2, welcomed the opening of the LoC from November 7 to help survivors of the October 8 devastating earthquake.

The PDP had, from the beginning, stressed for more and more people-to-people contacts across the LoC, he added.

• Complete coverage: Tremors across borders

The spokesperson, in a statement, said the party showed the way by calling for opening the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and for the final settlement of the long-standing Kashmir issue as per the aspirations of the people of the state.

He hailed the accord between India and Pakistan as a breakthrough that will accelerate aid supplies to quake victims. This would also help the people on both sides of the LoC to share grief after being hit by a tragic calamity.

The spokesperson said the PDP, from the beginning, has called for opening of all routes along the LoC and through the international border between the two neighbouring countries and also stressed for better trade relations between them.

• Mufti gave peace a chance

He also welcomed the decision of allowing passage of relief material across the LoC through these five points, saying the step would enable members of the divided families to know the fate of their relatives on either side - "The move sends a powerful message that the two countries won't let the miscreants derail the peace process, which was initiated by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led coalition government in the state."

The spokesperson said the deal is designed to reunite families and help relief supplies reach survivors left homeless by the deadly earthquake. The disaster has already led to greater cooperation in two Kashmirs, he said, adding the telephone lines between the two sides were restored and many such steps will follow.

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