ibn sultan
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday called for a comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying the process should begin with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a party workers’ convention in Srinagar, Mehbooba welcomed recent remarks by a senior RSS leader favouring talks with Pakistan and described it as a positive development. However, she stressed that the dialogue should not remain limited to New Delhi and Islamabad alone.
“It should start from Kashmir. It should start from Jammu and Kashmir. This is what our people are demanding,” she said.
The PDP chief urged confidence-building measures across the Line of Control (LoC), including reopening trade and travel routes between Uri and Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot. She also called for the return of power projects managed by NHPC and reduction of military presence in the region.
Mehbooba appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his leadership to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue. Recalling Modi’s 2015 Lahore visit, she said the Prime Minister has the authority to take bold decisions for peace in the region.
She further demanded the rollback of laws such as the UAPA and PSA, saying the people of Kashmir deserve relief after years of suffering.
Highlighting the region’s geographical importance, Mehbooba said the people of Kashmir want greater connectivity with Pakistan, China and Central Asia, and urged the government to reopen routes and improve regional access.
