Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has reiterated her stance on engagement of India and Pakistan by way of dialogue for what she asserts as the only option for establishing lasting peace in the region.
This she said while hailing recent remarks of an RSS leader supporting dialogue with Pakistan, terming them a “welcoming step” and reiterating that sustained engagement remains essential for lasting peace particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said it has been PDP’s consistent position, as also advocated by the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, that peace in the region can be achieved only through meaningful and continuous dialogue between India and Pakistan. She also sought to recall how late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee always supported in having good relations with ‘our neighbours’.
Referring to the prevailing situation in Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over what she described as ongoing detentions of youth, closure of several schools, and intensified action against drug peddlers across the Valley. She said these developments reflect a growing sense of distress among people and stressed the need for confidence-building measures.
The PDP chief stated that constructive talks between India and Pakistan could help reduce tensions and restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that peace remains central to development and stability in the region.Taking dig at the National Conference (NC), Mehbooba Mufti said that despite having around 50 MLAs, the party has failed to take key policy decisions, including the enforcement of a liquor ban. She claimed that if the PDP had a similar majority, it would have implemented such measures in line with public sentiment.
She further emphasized the need for stronger, people-centric governance and said elected representatives must act decisively on issues that directly impact society.Pertinently, only two days back Mehbooba Mufti called for dialogue between India and Pakistan, claiming that backchannel talks between the two countries are quietly continuing despite public tensions. Speaking in Poonch, she alleged that retired diplomats and military officials from both sides have been meeting abroad for discussions over the past few months.
Mehbooba also said there is “no solution” to the Jammu and Kashmir issue without talks and once again referred to her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s peace roadmap.She criticised the BJP government and said trade and travel routes like Rawalakot, which were earlier opened to promote business over violence, should not have been shut down.
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