Mufti seeks decisive mandate Former MLC Rashid Qureshi joins PDP Srinagar, June 12 ::: Stressing the importance of a decisive mandate in the coming elections Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said a clear verdict in favour of his party could open avenues for a democratic resolution of the problem of Jammu & Kashmir. Addressing a function here today he said PDP would strive to carry all stake holders along in a bid to shape an initiative from the state of Jammu & Kashmir that could lead to an amicable and workable settlement. The function was organized to welcome former legislator Mohammad Rashid Qureshi from Mendhar into the party fold. Qureshi a former member of state legislative council and a noted lawyer who was a prominent leader of the NC joined the party along with dozens of his supporters who had come all the way from Mendhar. Party chief spokeperson Naeem Akhtar, local leaders from Mendhar Waseem Ahmad Khan , Nadeem Khan and Nazir Ahmad Qureshi were also present on this occasion. Welcoming Qureshi and his supporters Mufti said the entry into PDP of prominent personalities from different walks of life is a positive indicator of the party having emerged as a credible alternative to NC. Mufti said the problems of Jammu & Kashmir can be resolved only through democratic methods and it was necessary from the people of all regions irrespective of caste and creed to come on a single credible plateform to push forward our case for justice and restoration of rights. He said PDP never aims at power for the sake of power or establishing a monopoly on people’s representation. “ I have always been practicing an inclusive politics and we have provided adequate evidence of that during the previous PDP- Congress coalition”, Mufti said. Mufti said no ready made solution could be enforced on Jammu & Kashmir unless the people of this state were involved in the resolution process. The momentum for resolution has to come from the state it self and it is the effort and the desire of the PDP to channelize the urge for peace and development along democratic lines so that our voice is heard with respect and approval by all the concerned parties. “The peace process initiated in 2003 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee could sustain and make some progress only because the sentiment had initiated from the state to which Vajpayee responded positively and was later carried on by the UPA government” added Mufti. Referring to the initial progress made in the peace process Mufti said the small movement forward made in resolution after 2002 is unprecedented and there is a need to build on these initiatives. He said the principles for establishing a free economic zone have already been conceded by our country as well as Pakistan. The decision to allow trade across LoC without custom or import duty and travel without visa and passport are land mark achievements and in normal course every citizen of the state either side of LoC should by now have been able to visit any part of the state without hazzals or carryout commercial activities. But the process can be resumed if people of the state vote without wisdom in the next elections. Mufti said no government except the PDP- Congress coalition has ever even raised the issues that it did much less achieving any thing on political or economic fronts. He said for any state’s ability to access the funds of government of India it is essential to create capacities for spreading resources purposefully. “ We had done that and convinced government of India and international lending agencies like the Asian Development Bank about our capability to utilize money for the welfare of people and building up of infrastructure”, Mufti said and added this had resulted in such initiatives as the funding by Asian Development Bank. He said he could not have achieved much on development front in absence of an administration that is efficient and is dedicated to public welfare and this was matched by government of India which went out of its way to sanction thousands of crores under Prime Minister’s economic package and other initiatives like reforms in the power sector and improving road connectivity. Mufti said the construction of Mughal road and establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah university in Rajouri are developments of historic nature. They along with the opeing of Poonch Rawlakote road have reconnected Poonch Rajouri with the world around them after six decades of isolation. The BGSBU university has become a centre for academic development and intellectual interaction which will in years to come help the human resource of that area to match any other part of the world. Mufti said the entry of people like Qureshi into the party will further strengthen its base in the region. He said there was a need for the people of Poonch and Rajouri to rise above narrow considerations and expressed hope that they would in the next assembly elections make the right choice of their representatives so that the process of development which had remained unfinished in 2008 is resumed.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:10:28 +0000
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