Pak govt will help restore peace in state, hopes Farooq
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, March 30
Asserting that the Jammu and Kashmir was going through a difficult phase, National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah today hoped that the newly-elected Pakistan government will help bring peace and prosperity to the state. He was addressing a mamoth public meeting, at Kalakote here today.

Claiming that bilateral relations between India and Pakistan will not improve without peace in this trouble torn state, Dr Farooq said both Indian and Pakistan needed to work jointly for bringing the same.

Expressing optimism that the newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Makhdoom Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani will take personal efforts in accelerating the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, the NC patron advocated the involvement of the people of the state in the process.

“We are of the firm believe that peace to the sub-continent is possible only when the two countries are able to solve Kashmir issue,” Dr Abdullah said. “This dialogue process is, however, meaningless if the people of the state are not taken into confidence.”

“I am hopeful that the new government will help us in bringing peace to the state, where people have been facing bloodshed and miseries due to the ongoing turmoil,” former chief minister added.

Coming down heavily upon the political parties playing religious card, the NC patron said that people were being misguided for pity political gains.

“Secularism is the basic character of our society,” he said and warned the people that some elements were creating a wedge among the people on the name of Gujjar and Pahari, which may prove fatal for the composite culture of the state.

Without naming anyone, he said, “Those people who are opposing Article 370 are neither friends of the state nor well-wishers of the country.”

He said that people should remain cautious about such elements, which want to divide people on the name of religion, cast, colour and region. “Those elements will get a befitting reply in the upcoming assembly elections.”

Dr Abdullah criticised the state government for neglecting the far-flung areas of the state, where development was far from the reality. "I am shocked as the road of this area remains dilapidated and people are still without the basic amenities", he said questioning the hue and cry being raised by the coalition alliance about development of the state. He announced Rs 20 lakh from his MP fund for the water works scheme in the area.