Srinagar, May 31: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehboba Mufti on Saturday reiterated his party’s commitment for peace and dialogue, warned against the increasing tide of war rhetoric that continues to influence the people of the region.
Addressing the party employees here, Mehboba said that Jammu and Kashmir have always created a brunt of war and violence, comparing the region to “grass trampling under the feet of two fighting elephants”.
“PDP will continue to raise its voice for peace and channel the feelings of the people. We should end the war viewer so that people can plan their lives and revive the economy. Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge of friendship and cooperation.
Reacting strongly to the recent comments of the National Conference (NC) leadership, in which the party’s patron Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s call for intensive military action against Pakistan, Mehboba said that such statements reflect a dangerous mentality.
“When the Indus Water Treaty was placed by the Government of India by the Government of India, it was Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who welcomed the move and even advocated an immediate stop for water supply to Pakistan. We are not Yazid. We may have political differences with the government of Pakistan, but it is sad.
He further Dr. Farooq Abdullah criticized, allegedly to support “Balakot Strike”.
“These leaders want more war and more bodies. This, however, is only PDP that has advocated continuously to end enmity and spoke to people’s right to live a life of dignity.”
The PDP president also expressed concern over the ongoing rift in the region.
“Our youth are being put in jail, and public safety acts (PSAs) are being misused. If such draconian measures were really effective, there would not have been incidents like Pahalgam.
Considering the formation of the 2014 alliance, Mehboba recalled that his father, late Mufti Mohammad Saeed, entered the coalition not for power but for more.
He said, “It was a sacrifice to get the region out of uncertainty. Our agenda has always improved peace and Indo-Pak relations,” he said.
Mehboba also made an excavation at the national conference, pointing to its constant efforts to please the BJP’s interests and the cost of their own mandate.
“The same minister, who introduced the Waqf Bill, was later welcomed and Mala in Kashmir by the Nekan leadership. Neck, despite being a 50 MLA, did not allow a resolution to pass in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly against Waqf amendment.”
“PDP is not in politics for power. Mufti Saheb used his limited term to end Draconian laws like POTA and abolished the task force. Today, while others chase power, we are committed to giving people in Jammu and Kashmir a dignified future,” said Mehboboba.
