JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday hoped that Pakistan will surely give a thought to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion of jointly (India-Pak) eradicating poverty.
“I hope that Pakistan will respond to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement on collectively fighting poverty in both the countries during an interview to a television channel,” Ms Mufti said in the Upper House while replying to questions raised by the members expressing concern on border firing and demanding construction of community bunkers.
“It is unfortunate that World has entered into new age but we are still living in the stone age like people used to live in caves during that era,” said the Chief Minister.
She said, “bunkers can be built to save the lives but what about education of the school children in border areas, which is a matter of serious concern.”
“Few days back, I was watching Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interview in which he made mention that India-Pakistan should collectively fight to eradicate poverty,” she added.
The Chief Minister said, “for how long J&K will become “dangal” field between two nations? For how long our jawans will sacrifice lives?” “I also have reservations. We are talking and discussing construction of bunkers but there are so many positive and good things to discuss,” she said.
“During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time, borders were normal, peace restored, marriage ceremonies near borders used to take place, children used to happily go to schools,” she added and said that there is a need of similar environment on borders.
“Bunkers is not a solution to the prevailing situation,” she said, adding, “we have to collectively think about the policy so that peace can be restored on the borders.”
“Pakistan is also a small country. People there are too living in poverty. Many die in cross border firing on borders but it has to stop,” she said. The Chief Minister, who is also In-charge Home, however, assured the members that she will take up the matter of bunkers to the Union Home Ministry for immediate solution.
Earlier MLCs Jamshed Qaiser Lone, Shahnaz Ganai, Surinder Choudhary and Yash Pal Sharma raised questions regarding border shelling and bunkers in the House. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
