Welcoming the establishment of direct phone links between the two Kashmirs, the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference on Wednesday asked New Delhi to respond positively to Islamabad's offer of allowing free movement across the Line of Control for rehabilitation of quake-ravaged areas.

Artificial distances created in the past need to be removed especially in this hour of crisis when people on either side of Line of Control have been devastated by the earthquake, the amalgam's chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said welcoming Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's [Images] suggestion on this count on Tuesday.

The movement across the LoC and other links should be facilitated which would help in pushing forward the ongoing resolution process for Kashmir issue, Musharraf said after the executive committee meeting of the conglomerate.

• Tremors across Borders

"Time has come for political resolution of Kashmir issue as well. India, Pakistan and the leadership in Kashmir have been making efforts to resolve the issue and the present proximity on humanitarian grounds would strengthen these efforts," Mirwaiz said.

He also asked Delhi to 'respond positively' to these suggestions. The Hurriyat also welcomed the Centre's move to set up free call centres for divided families across LoC and urged that the service be made permanent and extended to all people of the state.

"As far as I know, the service is for a fortnight only. It should be made permanent and extended to all people of the state," he added.