Committed to fight for restoration of Article 370: Dr. Farooq Abdullah

Committed to fight for restoration of Article 370 - Dr Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah Wednesday said that his party will not shy away from participating in the Assembly polls but the Centre must first restore statehood before announcing elections. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the 39th death anniversary of NC patriarch Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah at his mausoleum at Hazratbal, Srinagar, Dr Farooq said: “I don’t know when elections would be held. Whenever they are held, we won’t shy away and rather participate and win as well. The Centre must first restore statehood before holding polls.” The…

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Masarat Alam named Geelani’s Successor and is new chairman for Hurriyat Conference (G)

Masarat Alam named Geelani’s Successor and is new chairman for Hurriyat Conference (G)

Masarat Alam Bhat, who is in Tihar jail, was on Tuesday named the successor of Syed Ali Geelani in Hurriyat Conference (G) following the death of the nonagenarian leader last week. In a statement issued to media on Tuesday, the faction of the Hurriyat claimed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir look up to the amalgam’s leadership with great expectations. It said that Shabir Ahmad Shah and Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar have been elected as vice-chairmen. The appointments are temporary till elections are held according to the Hurriyat constitution, the…

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Would welcome Russia as potential mediator in settling Kashmir Conflict: Shafqat Ali Khan

Would welcome Russia as potential mediator in settling Kashmir Conflict - Shafqat Ali Khan

Pakistan would welcome Russia’s efforts to mediate peace in the longstanding conflict between Islamabad and New Delhi over the Kashmir region, Pakistani Ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan told in an interview. “As as friends we can’t force Russia, but we would welcome any positive mediatory role Russia can play,” Khan said. Russia’s good standing as a sought-after mediator comes from its international standing and good relations with both conflict parties, the ambassador said. “Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. And it has historically very strong…

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Pained the way Geelani’s body was treated after his death: Mehbooba Mufti

Pained the way Geelani’s body was treated after his death - Mehbooba Mufti

‘You fight with a person when he is alive. But when he dies he becomes a body. That body deserves respect,’ Mehbooba Mufti said. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said people of Kashmir are sad and are in pain the way the government treated separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani after his death. Accusing the government of being afraid of Geelani’s body and of fighting with the separatist leader’s body after his death, Mehbooba said, dead bodies deserve respect. “You fight with a person when he is alive. But when…

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What is better than Kashmir if you can’t go to Europe?

What is better than Kashmir if you can’t go to Europe

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic may have spelt doom for the tourism and hospitality sector at large, but not in Kashmir. The valley has emerged as the most sought after destination in 2021 for premium domestic tourists otherwise accustomed to jaunts abroad, resulting in a major bump in business for luxury hotels and golf courses. A similar trend is emerging in Meghalaya, the second northeastern State after Sikkim to open for tourists, where high-end hotels are doing better than low-end and budget properties. Tourist footfall in Kashmir valley destinations such as…

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