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April 14, 2008
Sayeed Wants both Indian,
Pakistani Currency in Kashmir

Jammu/Srinagar
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and patron of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Muhammed Sayeed has raked up a controversy by proposing that both Indian and Pakistani currencies should be allowed to run in the state.

"Jammu and Kashmir should become a model among the SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) countries by allowing both Indian and Pakistani currencies to run simultaneously here," Sayeed said at a public rally of his party in Mahur area of Ramban district in the Jammu region Sunday.

Sayeed defended the proposal of dual currency operation in Jammu and Kashmir by citing the example of the European Union.

"Free travel without any visa restrictions is possible in the European Union. There is the proposal of a free economic zone among the SAARC countries and Jammu and Kashmir could become a model for the SAARC union if both Indian and Pakistani currencies are allowed to operate here."

Mufti Sayeed told IANS: "I have suggested a common currency on the pattern of the European Union in the scenario of a free economic zone."

Sayeed's latest statement has rekindled the controversy created last year by the statement of Tariq Hamid Karra, state Finance Minister and senior PDP leader.

Karra had said the state should have its own currency in addition to the Indian currency.

After widespread criticism from other mainstream political parties, Karra later said he had been quoted out of context.

April 14, 2008

IANS | Top