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| GOI must act on troop cut, AFSPA revocation' | | Sayeed for expanding space for political reconciliation | | Banihal, August 17 – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has called for expanding space for political reconciliation in and around Jammu and Kashmir to give a final push to the peace process. "Emphasis must be now laid on building a political, economic and social super-structure to enable the people of the State to share the fruits of the peace process," he said.
Addressing a public meeting here today, Sayeed said some much-needed political and economic interventions, at this crucial juncture, would not only create new constituencies for peace, but strengthen the existing ones as well.
Sayeed said the people of Jammu & Kashmir have borne the direct brunt of violence and animosity in the region and they have had to pay with a colossal human and material cost for the pestering conflict. "Unfortunately the opportunity costs of the conflict are imposed on the people of Jammu & Kashmir, not only by the actions of Islamabad and New Delhi but to a large extent by their inactions," he said and added that recurrent hesitance in Islamabad and New Delhi to pursue innovative ideas on Kashmir with political courage is depriving the people of the vast and unlimited opportunities for economic progress.
Sayeed emphasized that instead of looking towards stabilization of political situation in Pakistan, Government of India must, unilaterally, set into motion the implementation of J&K-specific confidence building measures to consolidate on the people's overwhelming desire for peace and stability. "I don't see any logic behind delaying the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Groups finalized already," he said and added that, if implemented, these recommendations would have a tremendous positive impact on the State's fast-changing scenario of building people's trust. "Delaying the implementation would only take the sheen out of the whole exercise and raise question marks over the process that started at the highest level with the holding of Round Table Conferences," he said.
Emphasizing that the process for thinning of the troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the State must start now, Sayeed said while the High Level Committees constituted for the purpose have almost accomplished their task, the Government of India must act now on his party's demand in this regard. He said the latest report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee strongly advocating withdrawal of troops from internal security duties has vindicated his party's stand. "This is not for the first time that such a report has come. In the past also several committees have called for withdrawing troops from the internal security duties and handing-over the responsibility to the local police," he said and added that his party would be now expecting some positive movement in this direction as it is the need of the hour and demand of the situation. "Ironically, no progress has been made even on the commitment of shifting troops from orchards and private and institutional buildings," he wondered.
Speaking on the occasion, senior PDP leader and Minister for Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar said PDP has set a new agenda for the State's peace and prosperity. He said the party has stood by its people to fight for their cause and bring qualitative improvement in their lives. "The results of a recent survey by a prestigious newspaper wherein around 80% people have stated that there has been a tremendous change in situation after 2002 is the best tribute to the Coalition Government," he said and added that the people are the best judges of the performance of a government and they have delivered their verdict in favor of the Coalition Government.
PDP leader Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari also addressed the meeting..
On this occasion noted personality from Banihal Farooq Assad Mir son of former Minister Assadullah Mir alias Fakhr-e-Kohistan joined the PDP along with thousands of his supporters. He pledged support to the party saying that PDP has become the voice of the masses.
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