Opinions from various quarters on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus are worth documenting for the insight they offer on how the related issues are perceived in both countries. Would the supporters be consistent in their views five years down the line? Would the skeptics terminate the service or change the entry permit procedure if they come to power in both countries? What will be the fate of the bus service if the skeptics come to power in one country and supporters in the other?

The comments are divided into four parts viz., Pakistan, Kashmir (Indian and Pakistani), India, and the International Community.

Pakistan:

Pervez Musharraf: "It is a victory of Kashmiris"?"The agreement is a stepping stone...but not a substitute to the solution of the core issue of Kashmir."

Foreign Office: "The starting of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service is a 'humanitarian CBM', which would help fulfill long-standing wishes of the Kashmiri people."

PML-N: "Untimely decision".

JUI-(Fazlur Rehman): "It is a victory of Pakistan's viewpoint on the disputed status of Kashmir."

Jamaat-i-Islami: (Qazi Hussain Ahmed): "It is a ploy to sideline the Kashmir dispute."

Benazir Bhutto: "The bus service will help alleviate the suffering of divided Kashmiri families and also promote the prospects of safe and open borders in South Asia without prejudice to the Kashmir dispute."

Kashmir:

President of Azad Kashmir (Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan): "Running of the bus between Pakistani and Indian held Kashmir without visa condition is a progress towards the core issue and it will restore the atmosphere of confidence building measures between two countries."

AJK Premier: "A new chapter of development and prosperity had opened in Azad Kashmir and good governance and merit were being ensured."

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (Mufti Sayeed): "The road opening was the 'boldest initiative' since 1947" and a "dream come true."

National Conference: "The NC has always been for opening these roads and the late Sheikh Saheb strongly pursued the opening of Rawalpindi road."? "The beginning of bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad is a sign of flexible attitude of New Delhi to find a lasting solution of the Kashmir issue."

Hurriyat Conference (Abdul Gani Bhat): "It is a small but significant step towards the right direction: the solution of Kashmir issue. Both sides are serious and positive and I see the ice melting. We should not expect leaps because that can break us."

(Mirwaiz Umar Farooq): "It is a positive development in India-Pakistan relations and the first serious step towards resolving the Kashmir issue amicably."? "The other traditional routes that stand closed for nearly six decades should also be reopened and trade and commerce allowed between the two sides as that will enhance the people-to-people dialogue".

(Syed Ali Shah Geelani): "People have not given their blood for the reopening of a road but for self-determination. People should not get excited over the announcement"?. "It is nothing but a diversion from the core issue."

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Raja Muzafar): "The current move on Kashmir is minor but vital for the solution of Kashmir dispute and quitting the condition of Passport proves that political strives on Kashmir are being succeeded.

People's Democratic Freedom Party (Sayid Shabir Ahmad Shah): "It is a major step towards confidence building between the two countries."

Dukhteran-e-Millat (Asiya Andrabi): "It definitely hurt the disputed status of the Kashmir problem. Anybody who has contributed to this decision is not a friend of Kashmir."

Jaish-e-Muhammad: "This will weaken the idea of Kashmir uniting with Pakistan. This is a conspiracy by India to weaken Jihad."

Hizbul Mujahideen (Syed Salahuddin): "The bus service is a failed effort to put ointment on the wounds of Kashmiris. It has no meaning whatsoever for the Kashmiri people and the Mujahideen groups."

Lashkar-e-Taiba (Yahya Mujahid): "This cosmetic gesture will not curb the demand of freedom by Kashmiris."

India:

Government: "Mother of all CBMs"

Bharatiya Janata Party (Opposition): "While we welcome people-to-people contact,? allowing people to travel without passport? will not be in the interests of national security."

Congress: "Free movement would make people on both sides realise the realities and hence help in ending infiltration. Terrorism would not increase because those who had to come would cross over anyway."

International Community:

European Union: "The opening of the road across the Line of Control in Kashmir is of the highest symbolic value."

United States: "It is a significant and historic breakthrough."? "It offers an opportunity for more extensive people-to- people contact, improving daily life and promoting broad cooperation. The agreement, once implemented, would bring immediate benefit to ordinary Kashmiris."

United Kingdom: "This will make a real difference to the lives of Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control."

China: "We welcome the efforts made by India and Pakistan to open a new route through diplomatic channels." ? "We always hope that India and Pakistan could resolve the disputes left over from history through friendly consultations."