Poonch, May 06: Criticising the traditional political parties for “deliberately neglecting” Pir-Panjal region for decades, the Apni Party contesting candidate for Rajouri–Anantnag Parliamentary seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas on Monday said he would strongly advocated Hilly Development Council for Rajouri and Poonch districts with the separate allocation of funds for its overall development.
Zafar said he will strive to overcome the backwardness in the region, ensure development on the ground, and improve infrastructure.
In his public address at Poonch, Manhas lauded the people for their warm welcome that accorded him and the faith they have shown in his candidature. “I assure you that I would fight for your rights that have been denied for decades by the traditional parties like National Conference, Congress Party, and Peoples Democratic Party,” he said. “These parties were responsible for the troubled period in the region because they played divisive politics to remain in power, and divided the regions, and the people for one reason or the other.”
Asking the people to remain vigilant of the divisive forces, he asked them to come forward and elect a candidate who contests on merits to fight for their rights.
Earlier in another public meeting, Zafar raised his concern about lack of development, shabby condition of roads, infrastructure, and basic amenities in the region.
“I assure that if I get elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajouri–Anantnag Parliamentary seat, I will make all possible efforts so that Rajouri-Poonch Region get a Hill Development Council and separate funds for the developmental purposes on the pattern of Ladakh,” he said in his address.
Being border region, he said that Rajouri and Poonch districts have faced worst kind of human catastrophic due to hostile situation on the Line of Control, unprovoked ceasefire violations, increasing drug addiction menace, underdevelopment, inadequate specialised staff in educational and health sector, improper infrastructure, and issues of basic amenities remains unresolved.
“I assure you that I will do whatever is needed to address the issues of the people in the region and provide them all the basic facilities, and improve their livelihood with quality education, and healthcare at the village level,” he added.
To address the political aspirations of the region, he said that there is a need that a separate parliamentary seat shall be given to the Pir-Panjal region. “I will leave no stone unturned to try Pir-Panjal to get a separate parliamentary seat,” he assured the people.
He stressed on the need to construct two tunnels – Dera Ke Gali and Peer Ke Gali – on the historic Mughal Road that connects Pir Panjal with Kashmir Valley.
He added, “If I get elected to the Lok Sabha, I will try that our unemployed youth should be recruited through special recruitment drives in the Line of Control and remote villages.”
