Mehbooba assures support to youths eager to return

Islamabad, Apr 1 (UNI) Visiting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti assured full support to the youth who had crossed into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for arms training in the early '90s and are now eager to return and live peaceful lives.

Several such youths sought her intervention in rahulpindi yesterday in facilitating their safe return home.

Some non-combatant political activists, who had also crossed into PoK in the early '90s also called on Ms Mufti with the similar plea.

The PDP President told them that her party has been vocally raising their issue at various fora and it has also been made a part of the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Working Groups on Kashmir.

''I would again raise the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other authorities concerned in New Delhi when I go back,'' she said.

Ms Mufti said the Government of India must implement the recommendations already finalised by the four Working Groups encompassing various intra and inter-state Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) including safe passage for all such youths who have shunned the path of violence and were eager to return and live peaceful lives.

''I think the time has come to go for such bold reconciliatory measures in the interest of peace and stability,'' she added.

UNI XC SKB GC1440