Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today welcomed the Centre’s announcement of initiating a sustained dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir issue, saying it is the only way forward.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh this afternoon said former director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Dineshwar Sharma would be the central government’s representative to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Welcome the initiative of Union Government, appointing an interlocutor for leading a sustained dialogue with stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir (sic),” Mehbooba said in a series of tweets.

She said dialogue is the need of the hour and the only way forward.

“This dialogue initiative is in line with P.M @narendramodi’s 15th August speech na goli se, na gaali se, Kashmir ki samasya suljhegi gale lagaane se (sic),” she said referring to the prime minister’s remarks on Kashmir in his Independence Day speech.