JAMMU: For the first time in six decades, the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) leadership has publicly praised India's approach towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

PoK Prime Minister Sardar Atiq Khan surprised many in his public speech at Muzaffarabad on Friday when he lavished praise on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to take bold decisions at the earliest to bring lasting peace to the subcontinent.

Mr. Khan said that in spite of internal compulsions, Dr. Singh was talking positive. Mr. Khan has sent a message to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad urging him to enable thousands of unemployed youths from the State to work in the quake-hit PoK.

"We are in need of doctors, engineers, architects and other highly skilled people whereas a number of such people on your side are without jobs. Therefore, I have decided that we will provide them jobs here." The statement is seen as "positive vibes" from across the Line of Control.

Dr. Singh in his Amritsar speech last year for the first time talked about institutionalising the links between the two parts of the State which was spontaneously welcomed on both sides of the LoC.

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