Historic opportunity around to resolve Kashmir: Mehbooba

Rafiabad, Baramulla, Apr 16 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti today said there was a historic opportunity around for peaceful resolution of the contentious Kashmir issue.

Addressing a series of public meetings in the constituency, she said the flexible and reconciliatory approach of the leadership of India and Pakistan has offered a great opportunity to work out an amicable solution of the Kashmir issue in consultation with the people of the state.

A workable solution could be permanent and long-lasting only when the people of all the three regions of the state were taken into confidence, she added.

She said before arriving at a final settlement of the Kashmir issue there was a need to address the problems of various regions so that the people become equal stake holders in the resolution of the issue.

Ms Mufti again expressed the hope that leaders of all the political, separatist and social organisations would participate in the second round-table conference to evolve a consensus on the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The change of guard in November last year had only changed the Chief Minister while there was no shift in government policies of as these were guided by the Common Minimum Programme, she added.

The PDP Chief expressed anguish over the nefarious designs of some ''rejected elements'' who are hell bent upon disrupting the peace process by unsuccessfully criticising the people-friendly and transparent policies of her party.

Despite all this, the PDP was gaining popularity among the masses, Ms Mufti said and appealed to the people to vote in favour of her party candidates in the April 24 by-elections.

UNI AG YA KP2000