‘Kashmir resolution part of Coalition Govt agenda’
By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Minister for Finance, Housing & Urban Development, Mr Tariq Hameed Karra today said the PDP has created a space for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue by piloting an achievable resolution formula addressing just concerns of all the parties. “PDP has not only put the Kashmir issue in a specific and rational political and economic context, but has also laid strong foundations for its peaceful resolution in the emerging scenario of the regional and global political realities,” he said.
Addressing a public meeting at Shunglipora in Iddgah constituency, Mr Karra said PDP has contributed a great deal towards creating conducive environment in the sub-continent, particularly within the State, for a realistic and just resolution of the Kashmir issue. “The party, after putting Kashmir resolution on the Government agenda, will not only continue but even escalate and expand its endeavors to mobilize public opinion for undertaking greater confidence building measures to reach a substantial solution of the problem,” he said and added that right from its inception, PDP, has advocated an end to violent and militant means for resolving the problem and campaigned for a process of dialogue and engagement for the peaceful settlement of the issue.
Karra said unlike the traditional political class, who keep on changing their ideologies and stances to suit their interests, PDP leadership pursued its Kashmir-resolution agenda with great degree of consistency and wisdom and never allowed dilution of its agenda even while in power. “The then Chief Minister and the PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed even moved a resolution in the State Legislature emphasizing how the Indo-Pak dialogue and reconciliation process was vital for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue,” he said and added that the PDP leadership has been unequivocally speaking about the inevitability of resolving the Kashmir issue peacefully at various forums, both within and outside the State.
Karra said, PDP, as a partner of the coalition government, has pursued the goals and objectives set in the common minimum program for finding a peaceful resolution to the problem of the State, rolling back of the draconian laws and pursuing a healing touch policy in its dealings with people. “PDP strongly believes that any solution to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir can only be found through democratic and political means and the use of force is no substitute for a policy of engagement and dialogue,” he said and added that the party would, with added dedication, pursue its agenda of encouraging the course of dialogue and reconciliation and translate its philosophy of healing touch into concrete measures for the general relief and betterment of the people who have suffered a lot because of the turmoil.
Karra said history has offered a momentous opportunity to India and Pakistan to make peace in Jammu & Kashmir and march ahead on the path of economic and social progress. “I am sure the leadership of the two countries has recognized this historic reality,” he said and added the most crucial ingredient the leadership has to exhibit now, is to push the process ahead with political courage. He said while the responsibility of resolving the external dimensions of the Kashmir problem lies with India and Pakistan, internally we will have to move fast in bringing the democratic temper, character and tradition of our country in its full force and measure to Jammu & Kashmir. “It is a pity that even after sixty years of independence, for whatever reasons, democratic institutions in Jammu & Kashmir, for their very survival, have to seek shelter under the law enforcing agencies,” he said and added that the most effective security system is provided by the people of a place and in Jammu & Kashmir, as well, the people’s supremacy has to be reestablished for the ultimate solution of the problem.
The politics in the State, Mr Karra said has come a long way since the formation of the Coalition Government in 2002. “Under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the State has learnt to plan democracy,” he said and added that the PDP leadership has helped the system into a democratic mindset by evolving and laying down traditions of political accommodation, political compromise and a system of checks and balances on the governing authority. He said the PDP strongly believes that once groups possessing different political and social identity, become ready to share power by accommodating the views and values of others, the democratic structure becomes strong and “that is what we are working for.”