Ceasefire will usher in peace: Farooq

NEW DELHI, FEB. 25. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today hoped that the fresh extension of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in the State.

``I hope and I will pray for the same at Jeddah,'' Dr. Abdullah told PTI prior to leaving for Saudi Arabia on a Haj pilgrimage.

The Chief Minister, who is leading a 15-member Haj goodwill delegation from India, said the fresh extension of ceasefire was reason enough for Pakistan to rein in the militant outfits operating from across the LoC and initiate steps to stop aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism.

Dr. Abdullah said, ``I will pray to the almighty that all the misguided youth of the State return to the national mainstream.''

Earlier, the Haj delegation also called upon the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, at his residence this morning.

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