Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 17: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said his party has emerged not just as a credible governance alternative but it has been able to change substantially the resolution narrative on Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public meeting at Rajpora in South Kashmir today Mufti Sayeed said the PDP represented a new thought process on resolution of the Kashmir problem, away from hardline rhetoric and emotional approach.
He said the arrival of PDP on the political scene had spurred an unprecedented activity marked by pragmatism towards resolution of a problem that had defied a solution for six decades and cost many generations their peace, life and economy.
The party instead of following the hawks on either side had developed a new middle of the road theme and roadmap that was anchored in the friendship between India and Pakistan which should provide its own legitimate space to Jammu and Kashmir for growth, economic emancipation and unrestricted political rights, he said.
Mufti Sayeed recalled that this approach had produced extremely positive results between 2003 and 2005 and set off a process of peace that could by now have matured into resolution if it had been pursued with same vigour and sincerity of purpose.
He said the resolution has to be related to realities of our times and the lives and interests of the people of State. This had been done with impressive results as the divided State was heading for a virtual unification with the conceding of important Fundamental Principles on trade and travel between the two parts of erstwhile State.
He said these principles of exemption from passport and visa regime for travel and custom duty on LoC trade had in fact laid the foundation for a Free Economic Zone which had immense potential for growth for the whole region.
The former Chief Minister said it was a positive development that the parties which had been talking of bombing Pakistan or launching war with that country to prove their own loyalty too had now come round to the PDP vision of opening up of the State through peaceful and civilised methods and lifting the post partition siege around it.
He said more and more voices should emerge from the State for revival of traditional routes to press the two countries for urgent follow up on 2005 initiative of introducing a bus service between two sides and subsequent decision to allow cross LoC trade which had not been able to make the desired progress in absence of proper follow up.
Referring to other aspects of the PDP vision of self rule the party patron said “much of the economic depression in the State was a result of the sell out of our water resources by successive NC Governments.”
‘Renegotiation of terms of engagement with NHPC will be the main thrust area of PDP and with the support of people it should not be difficult to secure a fair deal for the State which is reeling under darkness in extremely harsh climatic conditions’, he said.
Mufti Sayeed said the current gas crisis had once again exposed the present Government. He said it was painful for him to see the people standing in long queues in freezing temperatures in pursuit of a gas cylinder.
‘This is not just a matter of discomfort but source of disrespect and indignity for our people. Such a situation would not be existing even in war ravaged Somalia or Afghanistan’, he added.
He regretted that a gentleman had lost his life in pursuit of a gas cylinder and that should represent the lasting shame of the present coalition.
He alleged though the entire State was facing acute problems on account of rampant corruption, misgovernance and political bankruptcy of rulers the Government had singled out areas represented by opposition for maltreatment.
He said the planning process had been subverted and the Chief Minister was utilising plan funds as if it was his discretionary grants.
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