Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Jammu and Kashmir United Movement president, Ishfaq Jabbar, unveiled a comprehensive manifesto today aimed at the development of the Ganderbal Assembly segment, focusing on employment, infrastructure and the restoration of rights.
At a press conference in Ganderbal, he outlined ten key issues his party plans to address if elected. The manifesto includes a commitment to creating 30,000 jobs for local youth, expanding the Pandach-Manigam road into a four-lane highway, and developing water parks to boost tourism.
Ishfaq also promises to restore Articles 370 and 35A, advocate for Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, and lift the ban on organizations such as Jamaat-e-Islami. “Unemployment is our top priority,” Ishfaq said. He detailed plans to integrate youth into projects like the Central University, New Ganderbal Powerhouse, and the Zojila Tunnel project.
He announced plans for a job fair in Ganderbal to connect local youth with multinational companies. “To facilitate job opportunities, we will establish an online portal for educated youth to upload their resumes. We will also reach out to foreign employers in Arab and Gulf countries for those seeking employment abroad,” he said.
For students pursuing higher education, Ishfaq expressed intentions to collaborate with NGOs to provide scholarships for those preparing for competitive exams like IAS and IPS. “We want to ensure no student faces barriers in their education,” he added.
Ishfaq highlighted initiatives for women, including home-based work opportunities that allow them to earn income while managing household responsibilities. Regarding infrastructure, he announced a budget allocation of Rs 700 crores for road development for Ganderbal.
He outlined plans for the Khudmarg area, proposing a Rs 100-crore investment to improve connectivity and create employment for local laborers and transporters. He criticized previous Government actions under SRO 105, which he claimed led to widespread unemployment, and vowed to revise mining regulations to restore traditional livelihoods.
Ishfaq promised to enhance local wetlands like Shalbuk and Khanpura Lake to attract tourism through floating gardens. He noted the establishment of a district hospital to meet the healthcare needs of the community and pledged further improvements.
He called for the reinstatement of inter-district teacher recruitment, which had been halted, and advocated for the repeal of bans on organizations like Jamaat-e-Islami, emphasizing the need for religious freedom and a stronger connection with Delhi.
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