Only dialogue can resolve issues: Mehbooba Mufti

Baramulla, Apr 16: Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said her biggest political achievement was compelling top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party to reach the residence of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for dialogue on Kashmir.
Speaking at the PDP’s ‘Kath Baath’ interactive session in Baramulla, Mehbooba Mufti said that no other leader had managed such an engagement during their tenures.
Mehbooba said that she had also written to the central leadership seeking dialogue on the “Kashmir issue,” which she said, “Is not being entertained at present.”
The PDP Chief said that during her tenure in a coalition with the BJP, her government facilitated the withdrawal of cases against around 12,000 youth. She asserted that issues in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved through force and stressed that dialogue remains the only viable path.
Referring to cross-LoC trade, she said the Muzaffarabad road was opened to promote business. “If the Government of India considers Jammu and Kashmir its integral part, it should address public concerns by reopening routes and restoring control over local resources, including power projects,” she said.
Hitting out at present government led by National Conference, Mehbooba alleged that even basic public issues were not being discussed.
Her remarks came a day after Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani accused the PDP of contributing to the current situation in the Valley. Wani had said that in 2016, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah had advised Mufti against forming an alliance with the BJP, but she chose to proceed.
Meanwhile, Mufti expressed optimism about the role of youth, stating that Generation Z is well exposed and can play a transformative role in Jammu and Kashmir if provided a platform without fear. She said young people have the ability to take the region’s voice to larger forums and contribute meaningfully to its future.
She described the ‘Kath Baath’ programme as a platform for public participation and free expression, and thanked the people of Baramulla for attending the event despite short notice. (KNO)