PDP adopts self-rule draft

Jammu, Feb 18 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finalised and adopted the self-rule draft unanimously as the most viable solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue, party sources today said.

The sources said the draft was approved by its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) at a special meeting chaired by the party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here last evening.

Senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was also the Chairman of the Self-Rule Drafting Committee, briefed the meeting about various aspects of the ''distinctive proposal'' offering a comprehensive set of suggestions for the ''permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue''.

The meeting observed that the Kashmiri Pandits have an important role to play in the present and future of the state.

''We see Kashmiri Pandits as an integral part of Kashmiri society and essential for the strengthening of the composite, but, pluralistic culture which has defined Kashmir historically,'' Mr Baig said at the meeting.

The PAC meeting reiterated its demand for measured reduction of troops from the internal security duty and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as a confidence building and reconciliatory measure.

It also called for vacation of agricultural land, orchards and government buildings acquired by the armed forces after the eruption of turmoil in the state, sources added.

UNI