PDP to continue its struggle for peaceful Kashmir solution

Srinagar, July 13 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated its resolve to carry forward the mission of the July 13 martyrs through an enduring democratic struggle against the political, economic, social and cultural injustices meted out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir from time to time.

A resolution adopted at a specially convened PDP meeting here today, while offering glowing tributes to the martyrs of July 13, 1931, reinforced the party's resolve to work through peaceful democratic means and through public participation towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue and restoration of permanent peace in the State and the region. The meeting was presided over by the party President Mehbooba Mufti.

The resolution, moved by senior PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra, states that while the sacrifices of the July 13 martyrs laid the foundations of democracy and people's rule in the State, Jammu and Kashmir's susceptible security, fragile peace and inconsistent stability continue to pose a challenge not only to the local leadership but that of the country and the region as well.

Realizing that the main cause of this distressing situation is the unresolved Kashmir issue, the Resolution states that PDP has, right from its inception, advocated adoption of a policy of understanding and reconciliation for the ultimate settlement of the problem through a sustained and comprehensive dialogue process with Pakistan on one hand and through tangible Jammu and Kashmir-specific pro-people confidence building measures involving all sections of the society within the State on the other.

''It is the considered view of the PDP that adoption and practice of the Healing Touch policy had, in great measure, resulted in the growing engagement and involvement of the people in the peace process,'' the resolution states.

The ''Healing Touch'' policy had materially altered the ground situation and helped create conducive atmosphere or initiation and continuation of the process of dialogue within the State as well as with Pakistan for a just and durable resolution of the Kashmir issue', it fuether adds.

The fact that the people of the State are the biggest custodians of its interests, has to be recognized to replace the atmosphere of confrontation with trust.

PDP believes that given the expectations of the people and the faith they had started reposing in the democratic institutions, there is every reason to trust them and take some bold initiatives towards the peaceful resolution of the problem.

The Resolution adds that in glorious recognition of all those who, on this day in 1931, made the supreme sacrifice of their precious lives so that people of Jammu and Kashmir could live with honour and dignity, July 13 will always be remembered as a defining moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI BAS QAB PDT PM1815