PDP PATRON MUFTI SAYEED
Jammu,November 22, (Scoop News)- Calling for a political will and broader national consensus to address the Kashmir issue, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said Kashmir has suffered too much for too long to be turned into a slanging match for electoral gains.
“Instead of indulging in ludicrous melodramatics and rhetoric for votes, country’s political leadership should work through tangible measures towards larger political resolution of the Kashmir issue,” Mufti said while addressing series of election rallies in Banihal, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar assembly segments of Chenab Valley region.
He said alongwith working through political means and implementing an economic development agenda, Government of India must engage with the people of the State to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue and the issues confronting J&K. “The country’s leadership must take note of the sentiment of peace and democratic spirit emanating from Jammu and Kashmir and accord it the respect it deserves,” he said and added that the Centre must address issues concerning the State with a sense of urgency, sincerity and seriousness by resuming the dialogue process not only with Pakistan but with all the stakeholders, within the State as well, including the separatists.
“I hope the Government of India will take the necessary measures to address the causes of alienation and trust deficit in Kashmir and work towards finding a long-lasting solution to the problem plaguing the region for the past more than six decades,” Mufti said and added that the time has come to allow the political and democratic forces in the State to assert themselves as a matter of right and not a concession. “That is of fundamental importance to allow the democratic institutions of the State to grow and flourish,” he said and added that elements of sanity, common sense and pragmatism should be picked up to strike a new benchmark in the State in light of the global and sub-continental realities.
“Time has come to fully retrieve the people of Jammu & Kashmir, with honor and dignity intact, from the political uncertainties and economic deprivation plaguing their state for the past more than six decades,” he said and added that in its brief tenure of three years in governance, amid difficult circumstances, PDP did what others couldn’t achieve in decades. “Give us six years with a decisive mandate and I promise that we will transform Jammu and Kashmir into peaceful and prosperous State,” he told the gathering.
PDP Patron asserted that the party would continue its struggle for the restoration of the political and economic rights of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. “PDP views with satisfaction the growing concord of the people with the party’s progressive and inclusive political and economic agenda for J&K,” he said and added that athough most of the political pundits had in 2002 viewed and dismissed the PDP’s enterprise and act of hope with skepticism and ridicule, but the party discerned the imperatives of the history and stood like a rock against the winds and waves of various hostile forces.
Mufti said responding to the people’s innermost yearning for peace with dignity, PDP crusaded the policy of repairing their hurt psyche, salvaging their bruised dignity, kindling a new hope in their hearts and motivating them to mould their destiny through a participatory political process. “The result was there for all to behold,” he said and added that fortunately, the country’s leadership, at that time, also understood and appreciated this rejuvenating and hopeful political transformation in the State and responded in good measure.
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