Ahead of his visit to Pakistan on January 13, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee held separate consultations with former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on the Kashmir issue.

While Farooq was accompanied by his son and National Conference chief Omar Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti joined father Sayeed at the talks table. Mukherjee also met senior Congress leaders Karan Singh and Makhan Lal Fotedar.

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The Mufti said both India and Pakistan should exploit the prevailing congenial atmosphere for resolution of the Kashmir issue and move ahead with a positive frame of mind.

At present, only members of separated families can travel between Srinagar and Muzzafarabad. The Mufti wanted this bar lifted.

He also urged Mukherjee take up the issue of pilgrimage tourism, particularly to Kashmiri Pandit and Sikh shrines in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The Abdullahs advocated cross-border trade.

They wanted the entire J&K (on both sides of the LoC) declared a special economic zone on the lines of Switzerland and Channel Islands to facilitate free movement of trade and businessmen.

Email author: aanand@hindustantimes.com