Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Nov 27: Former Chief Minister and PDP patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that SAARC can realize its full potential only if pestering issues between India and Pakistan are settled amicably.
“SAARC leadership has to recognize the fact that the forum couldn’t take off effectively since its inception in 1985 because of the unresolved issues between India and Pakistan including the Kashmir,” he said while addressing election rallies at Kulgam, Homshalibugh and Anantnag Assembly segments here.
Mufti said the current elections offer a historic opportunity to people of the State to send a strong message to the national leadership about their urge for peace and reconciliation between the two countries which could facilitate resolution and enduring peace. “A strong and inclusive mandate to PDP would enable it channelize this urge effectively and revive the initiatives of 2003,” he said and added that political aspect of the issues between India and Pakistan would be easier to address if the economic space created in SAARC paradigm is ensured for a potentially rich place like Jammu and Kashmir.
Mufti said the pain of the people in Jammu and Kashmir has reached a level where the hope of peace is sure to gain substantial local support. “The encouraging participation of people in the ongoing polls should not be misconstrued as the problem having disappeared without addressing it,” he said and added that the renewed trust people of the State have reposed in the democratic institutions, offers a fresh opportunity to work through peaceful and reconciliatory means towards addressing all the dimensions of the Kashmir issue in a manner that balances and promotes enduring political and economic stability in the State and the region.
Mufti also called for speeding up and expanding the Indo-Pak peace process to find substantial solution to the problem of Jammu & Kashmir and addressing the legitimate aspirations of its people.
“I am especially humbled by the overwhelming endorsement of my party’s political and economic agenda by the State’s young population who have started playing decisive role in democratic exercises as is evident from first phase of voting. Time has come for the State’s youth to fully assert themselves to become active partners in political decision-making processes,” he said and reiterated his party’s resolve to work hand-in-hand with the progressive and democratic forces in the country and the region to facilitate dignified resolution of the Kashmir issue and the issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir.
Mufti added that it would be his party’s endeavor to carry the voice of Jammu & Kashmir to all parts of the country and use all forums including the Assembly, Parliament and other democratic platforms to secure the political and economic rights of the State and its people.
He said the new Government would in earnest begin with the challenging task of rehabilitation and reconstruction process for the flood-affected and also launch effective flood control projects. He said tourism, horticulture, handicrafts and hydropower would be the areas of focus for the new Government as these sectors not only offer huge employment potential but can create wealth for the State and its people.
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