SRINAGAR:PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conceive a new grand strategy for Jammu and Kashmir and urged the Centre to announce a financial package for the state, which witnessed worst-ever floods last year.
“With a decisive mandate on his back, the Prime Minister has the opportunity and luxury of conceiving a new grand strategy for Jammu and Kashmir,” Mehbooba said, while addressing a daylong convention of party workers in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
She said Modi should not only revive the peace initiative that had worked well between 2002 and 2005, but also initiate fresh political and economic steps with speed, purpose and direction.The PDP advocates resumption of India-Pakistan and New Delhi-separatist talks. “There is no alternative to the peace process and its foundation was laid by our party when we came to power,” she said.
The PDP has been saying that the party’s “self rule” formula is the only viable solution to end hostilities between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. Urging youth to shun the path of violence, the PDP president said huge opportunities were awaiting them in various sectors where they could fruitfully use their capabilities to gain productive employment.
“The youth who have taken to the path of violence must take a cue from their counterparts who are qualifying prestigious examinations such as Civil Services and making their families proud,” she said, adding the turmoil has only brought miseries to the people leaving behind a trail of death and destruction.
Mehbooba said pain of Kashmiris has reached a level, where the hope of peace and prosperity is sure to gain substantial local support.
Referring to last year’s floods, the PDP president said the problems of economic deprivation, development deficit and unemployment had become complex and should be addressed in the right earnest.
“Given the enormousness of the crisis, it is beyond the means and resources of the J&K Government to confront the challenge,” Mehbooba said.
PDP prez hopeful about central aid
Mehbooba Mufti hoped the Centre would give J&K an adequate financial package. The previous NC-Congress Government had submitted a proposal of Rs 44,000-crore package. The Centre hasn’t yet announced the package.