Mir Farhat
Srinagar, Jan 10: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that continuing Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the State gives bad image to the democratic country.
“AFSPA gives a bad image to the country. Why is it necessary? It is unfortunate that even after 60 years of independence still there is discussion over whether the Army should stay, AFSPA should stay. Why is it so? We have to have the confidence of the people,” Mufti told a press conference at his Gupkar residence today.
Mufti said that India has to adopt friendly relations with Pakistan in order to emerge as a great nation. “War is no solution to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Peace can prevail here only when both these countries come forward and make their efforts to adopt friendly relations with each other,” he said, adding, his party had played an important role in building friendly relations between the two nations by starting several people-friendly initiatives.
The PDP patron said that the skirmishes along Line of Control (LoC) could have its adverse impact on Jammu and Kashmir in general and people living along the LoC in particular.
“The skirmishes along LoC have become a major concern for Kashmir and it could lead to the possibility that both these countries will get engaged in war while leaving the Kashmir issue aside. People will have to raise their voice in restricting the growing confrontation along LoC,” Mufti said.
Replying to a question on whether incidents like Handwara where a woman delivered a baby in hospital premises in freezing cold during Army crackdown, Mufti said such incidents should not happen.
“It is not good for the image of our country in the outside world. Some elements do such incidents; it should not happen,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said for the resolution of Kashmir issue, he has an agenda, which he didn’t explain. “By and large, people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace with integrity, but not surrender. We have to address the basic issue of Kashmir and for its resolution I have an agenda,” he said.
Mufti said that people in the State have trust-deficit with the present Government and they want a change in governance. “Here a sense of insecurity is prevailing among people and they want to get out of it. We need to have confidence in our people and people themselves can make a change in the political discourse,” he said.
Later, Nayeema Mehjoor, former British Broadcasting Service (BBS) broadcaster, joined the PDP in presence of Mufti Sayeed, President PDP Mehbooba Mufti and PDP senior leader Molvi Iftikar Hussain Ansari.
Nayeema said being a person who has been associated with journalism it was a difficult decision for her to enter politics. “Situation in Jammu and Kashmir at all levels, political, economic or social, has gone from bad to worst over the years. If people with integrity and positive thinking will join politics, we can find solution to the problems no matter how old and tough they are,” she said.
Hailing Nayeema’s decision to join his party, Sayeed said a new political wave is sweeping the country as professionals are entering into politics.
“The country is witnessing a new political atmosphere that professionals are attracted towards politics. Since politics is the foundation of a country. I am happy that this is happening and I appeal to the intellectuals, professionals and traders to join the party,” Mufti said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel