Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 7: Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today urged Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to engage Pakistan in a sustained and meaningful dialogue for lasting peace in the region.
“Vajpayee’s peace initiative ensured a decade-long thaw in Indo-Pak relations. Bade Bhai ko Chote Bhai se Milna hi hoga,” Mufti told a rally at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium .
Drawing the attention of the people towards the 2003 visit of former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee to Srinagar when he extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan from the same venue, Mufti urged Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to take a lead in engaging Islamabad in a sustained and meaningful dialogue, which will entrench lasting peace in the region.
Chief Minister described the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as the man destined to make India a world power. He said his alliance with BJP reflected the wishes of the people, as 1.2 billion people of the country reposed faith in his leadership.
Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir is a mini India, where majority of the people believe in the spirit of Indian Constitution. “Prime Minister’s slogan of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is of monumental significance. He has a clear vision for India and determined to transform it into a superpower,” he stated.
On his alliance with BJP, Chief Minister said J&K cannot connect with the rest of the country unless people residing in the three regions get together. He said people of Jammu gave clear mandate to BJP, just as they voted overwhelmingly in favour of PDP in the Valley.
Mufti assured people that there would be no discrimination with the people of any region of the State. He observed that a lot was written about the alliance with BJP, but he took a decision in the larger interests of the people of the State. “The Prime Minister is a guiding force who is inclined to change the history and destiny of Jammu and Kashmir,” he stated.
Chief Minister said the walls on hatred should be brought down. He hailed the example set by the peace-loving people of the State by sticking to its pluralistic values despite extreme provocations. “Our Legislative Assembly set a perfect example by passing a peace resolution that sent message of tolerance and inclusiveness to the rest of the country,” he added.
On the issue of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Mufti favoured return of the community to Kashmir with dignity and respect. “We do not favour any Israeli-type settlement of Kashmiri Pandits but their larger integration into the social milieu of Kashmir,” he said.
Chief Minister said that last year’s floods caused widespread damage to infrastructure, besides loss of human lives. He said he is committed to provide succour to the people who lost everything to floods. “The deluge of September 2014 was the worst in 150 years. We, at our level, tried to ameliorate the sufferings of the people, but still a lot remains to be done to provide relief to the devastated people,” he added.
Appreciating the Central Government for its support to strengthen the core sectors of development in the State, Mufti thanked Prime Minister for fixing deadline of 2017 for four-lanning of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. He also gave a brief insight into the various measures taken by the Government to provide good governance with tangible results on the ground.
Describing unemployment as a huge challenge for the Government, the Chief Minister called for making university campuses hotbeds of placements so that the pool of talented human resource find jobs in the ever-expanding market. “We are also fast-tracking filling up of nearly 30,000 vacancies in the Government sector,” he added.
Mufti said he will strengthen the institutions of local self-government by holding elections, which ensures empowerment of people at the grassroots’ level.
Follow our WhatsApp channel