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| PDP’s foundation day | | Radical change of approach needed to consolidate peace process: Mufti | |
Srinagar, July 28 – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the positively changing situation in Jammu & Kashmir now demands a radical change of approach to consolidate the normalization process and bring complete peace and stability to the State.
Addressing the PDP's Foundation Day function here today, Sayeed said the continued political uncertainty and exploitative politics has crippled the State economically, socially and morally leading to a trail of tragedies and agonies. "Unless we take some genuine steps to come out of the present mess and handle the problem with wisdom and tact, our future generations would only curse us, as it is they who will continue to pay the price for our follies," he said and added that keeping this fact in view, PDP, right from its inception, has been striving for peaceful resolution of the problems through a reconciliatory process involving wider participation of democratic and civil society institutions.
Stressing the urgency for radical change of approach, at various levels both within the State and in Delhi, towards Jammu & Kashmir, Sayeed said given the people's yearning for peace and the faith they have reposed in the democratic institutions, there is every reason to trust them and take some bold initiatives towards the peaceful resolution of the problem. "Without getting discouraged by the sporadic incidents of violence, we must reinforce our resolve to work through peaceful means and through public participation towards restoration of permanent peace in the State," he said.
Reiterating that the confidence building measures like reduction of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) are now imperative, Sayeed said while the armed forces have played a commendable role in curbing militancy, the sacrifices of the State's people and the political parties have been equally instrumental in transforming the situation. "Now when the situation is headed for good, as the public representatives we must respond to the public mood and their vibes to give the evolving scenario a positive direction by entrusting greater role to the democratic and civil society institutions," he said and added that the time has come for the politicians to justify their mandate and take charge of the situation so that, away from the shadow of the gun, the democratic institutions and processes once again flourish in the State.
Acknowledging the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh's seriousness in resolving the problems of Jammu & Kashmir through political and democratic means, Sayeed said the political leadership of State and the Center must lend a helping hand to the Prime Minister in his efforts at reaching out to the people for workable peace in the State. "Instead of getting bogged down by the vested interests, the political leadership must, with determination, cut through the vicious circle of the detractors and work steadily on the confidence building process," he said.
Questioning that if measures like revocation of POTA, opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, construction of Mughal Road, round-the-clock opening of Jawahar Tunnel and extension of mobile phone facility to the State, once thought to be great security risks, had no fallout on the situation, Sayeed wondered that why such hue and cry is being raised over reduction of troops and revocation of AFSPA, when the situation is far more conducive for such initiatives now. "It is the question of changing a particular glacial mindset," he said and added unless that mindset is not changed there could be no movement forward towards consolidation of the normalization process.
Sayeed said the persistent failure of the National Conference to provide a responsible and responsive political platform to voice the people's just concerns and aspirations was the compelling inspiration for him and his colleagues to launch a new regional party on 28 July 1999. He said PDP's participation in the Coalition Government was a part of its agenda to end the miseries of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through a broad-based political alliance and that experiment has stood the test of the times. He said the Coalition Government has, during the past five years, worked on both the political and economic fronts to bring stability and prosperity to the State.
Earlier, Sayeed accompanied by senior PDP leader, Muzaffar Hussain Baig launched the official website of the party www.jkpdp.com at the PDP headquarters.
Senior PDP leaders Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and Nizam-ud-Din Bhat also addressed the function.
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