Excelsior Correspondent
—Excelsior/Harbajan
POONCH, Sept 1: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti today said that peace and political stability are imperative for J&K’s development and economic prosperity.
Addressing a large party convention at historic Fountain Park here in presence of R&B Minister Sayed Mohd Altaf Bukhari and Education Minister Naeem Akhtar here today, Ms Mehbooba said that PDP is striving for a space of dignity and opportunity for the people of J&K in a larger paradigm of peace and stability in the South Asian region.
“The recurrent flare-up along the borders in the State and the consequent tragic loss of lives keeps us reminding of the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a just and pragmatic solution to all the contentious issues,” she said.
“We cannot visualize any alternative to reconciliation and dialogue to end the dark era of hostility and confrontation in the region,” she said and added that violence along the borders is hitting the people of the State the most.
Mehbooba said people of J&K have very high stakes in peace as they have to pay heavy costs during any escalation of tension in the region. “For the people of Jammu & Kashmir peace along the borders and within is of immense significance and I hope the political leadership of the two countries treats it with the same spirit,” she said.
The top PDP leader said LoC ceasefire, had not only given the much-needed relief to the people living along the borders during 2003, but it had, as well, provided the broad umbrella for the peace process to flourish. She expressed hope that the NDA Government headed by Narendra Modi would follow the path shown by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee while initiating historic steps to normalize relations between India and Pakistan
Mehbooba said the youth constitute a vital and vibrant human resource for the State and they have a right, as well as an obligation, to participate and contribute actively in State’s political and economic activities. She said the society can’t afford to lose more youth now and measures have to be taken to safeguard their future. She pointed out that the problem of unemployment especially among the educated youth is a matter of grave concern and needs immediate thought.
Urging the deserving people to take full advantage of the public welfare schemes like Aasra and Laadli, Ms Mehbooba said these schemes are aimed at providing social and financial security to the poorer sections of the society. She said Govt has also initiated various measures in education, health, rural development, road communication and other sectors. She said the border districts like Poonch and Rajouri would also get due share in development.
Senior PDP leader and party general secretary Daman Bhasin, local MLA Shah Mohammad Tantray, Yashpal Sharma-MLC, Vikramaditya Singh-MLC, Yasir Reshi-MLC and Anjum Fazili-MLA and PDP district president, Poonch, Shamim Ahmad Dar also addressed the convention.
Later, Ms Mehbooba, alongwith, Naeem Akhtar, Altaf Bukhari and other senior party leaders visited Balakote area of district Poonch along the LoC where several innocent lives were recently lost in cross-LoC shelling. They met the families of those whose dear ones were killed and expressed sympathy with them. Mehbooba urged upon Governments of both the countries to take measures for the de-escalation of tensions along borders.
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