Bijbehara (Anantnag), Jan 07: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday took a dig at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for talking about snow clearance and the installation of smart meters, saying such matters should not be his concern. She said Omar should instead talk about people languishing in jails, terminated employees and the hurdles in passport verification.
Addressing party workers at Dara Shikoh, Bijbehara, as they gathered to pay respects to the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on his 9th death anniversary, Mufti said, “The PDP belongs to the people, not just the PDP chief. It is your (workers’) responsibility to protect it. Even though the PDP is not in power, it can safeguard the rights of Kashmiris better than the party currently in power.”
She said the government, which has 50 seats, should fulfill the promises it made to the people. “The issues of youth languishing in jails and problems with reservation policies are causing immense trouble for young people. These matters need immediate resolution,” she added.
Criticising the satellite township project, the former chief minister said, “Who are these townships being built for? They should be stopped. The railway line through orchards must also be reconsidered. Omar Abdullah shouldn’t talk about installing smart meters. Instead, he should raise issues like youth in jails, employees being terminated on baseless charges, and young people being denied passports. He should also address the reservation policies.”
Quoting Allama Iqbal’s couplet, “Kuch baat hai ki hasti mit-ti nahi hamari; Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zamaN hamara,” Mehbooba said the resilience of Kashmiris reflects the spirit of the PDP. She lauded the efforts of party leaders and workers, saying it is their collective dedication that has kept the party alive.
“I would like to remind Delhi that Jammu and Kashmir is not just about roads, drinking water, and electricity. It is a much larger issue—the Kashmir issue. Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed used to say that whatever we can get must come from Delhi,” she said. “Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed achieved significant milestones from Delhi, including opening the road to Muzaffarabad, facilitating dialogue, and ensuring the release of people from jails. The party has not treated these achievements as mere election promises but has fulfilled what it committed to—and will continue to do so,” she said.
PDP pays tribute to Mufti Sayeed, hails his legacy, vision
In commemoration of the ninth anniversary of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), party members and supporters gathered at Dara Shikoh, Bijbheara, to pay tribute to the late leader’s contributions to the region.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti led the remembrance, reflecting on her father’s legacy as a statesman committed to “peace with dignity”. During her address, she highlighted Sayeed’s visionary governance as Chief Minister from 2002 to 2005 and his impactful policies to ensure security and forging a collaborative path for Jammu and Kashmir, despite the challenging political landscape.
“Mufti Sahab’s tenure was pivotal, focusing on the people’s needs even with only 16 seats in the assembly,” she said, citing his initiatives to improve education, infrastructure, and agriculture. His role in promoting cross-border trade through the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was termed as a significant step towards dialogue and reconciliation between communities.
Mufti Sayeed’s broad vision also included the establishment of educational institutions across the region and the Prime Minister’s package aimed at the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity, the PDP chief said.
Highlighting her father’s enduring influence, she reiterated that dialogue remains central to resolving the Kashmir issue. “His vision of ‘peace with dignity’ and the belief in dialogue for lasting peace continue to guide our efforts for a just Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.
During the event, the PDP leaders and supporters pledged to uphold Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s legacy and vision for a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the party said.
Sajad Lone praises Mufti Sayeed’s ‘compassionate’ leadership
People’s Conference (PC) chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday paid tribute to former J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, recalling his time as a minister in Mufti’s cabinet.
“On this day, my fond remembrance of Mufti Saheb. I was a minister in his cabinet and in my interactions with him, found him to be a great human being. It was a great experience working with Mufti Saheb. He understood statecraft and practised it with compassion,” Lone said.
Mufti Sayeed, the founder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and was known for his political acumen and governance approach.
