- ‘J&K was gateway to Central Asia but we closed its doors’
- Wants Centre, state to make collective efforts to settle all contentious issues
- ‘J&K will never go away from India; we need to have good relations with Pakistan’
Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Monday pitched for opening of all trade routes of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan for making it an economic corridor of the region.
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s peace overtures, she also stressed on the need for having good relations with Pakistan, adding that war was no solution to the outstanding issues between the two countries.
Citing the central location of Jammu and Kashmir in the region, Mehbooba said: “I do hear about the economic corridor Pakistan has constructed with the help of China. J&K was the gateway to Central Asia but we have closed its doors. There is a need to open the economic corridors again.”
“All the routes should be opened for economic activities with Pakistan which we have closed. We don’t want war with Pakistan,” she added.
Addressing a gathering of displaced persons on the occasion of launch of Package of Financial Assistance for Displaced Persons from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the chief minister said Jammu and Kashmir has been the biggest victim of the subcontinent’s partition of 1947.
She said the Sikh community in Rajouri-Poonch often request for the opening of roads as they have religious shrine on the other side.
“Similarly people in Nowshera demand opening of Nowshera-Janghar road,” she said while also pitching for opening of Jammu-Sailkot and Kargil-Skardu road.
“J&K will never go away from India and it will remain crown of the country. We need to have good relations with Pakistan,” she said.
“War is not a solution of any issue. And it won’t have any benefits. Vajpayee ji did not fight war with Pakistan despite Kargil war and Parliament attack.”
The statement comes just a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s strong speech against Pakistan wherein he accused the country of conspiring to divide India on religious lines.
Stating that India is incomplete without Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and no power in the world can separate them from the country, Home Minister said Pakistan has wants to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India.
Recalling the peace initiatives under former PM Vajpayee, Mehbooba said: “Vajpayee ji went to Lahore and Gen Musharaf agreed that Pakistan’s land would not be allowed against India. Suddenly the violence declined, borders observed ceasefire and militancy graph was brought down and then Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani also held talks.”
“We have to go back to the era of Mr. Vajpayee when hostilities between the two neighboring countries were minimal and despite provocations like Kargil and Parliament attack, option of war was not even considered. Rather it led to opening of hearts and minds between the two sides which ultimately resulted into opening of borders, resumption of trade and more people to people contact,” she added.
The chief minister said India should hold talks with Pakistan in conducive atmosphere to resolve all the issues “and attacks like Nagrota and Uri will never occur”.
“Small issues collectively have become big issues. Mufti sahab wanted solution and peace between India and Pakistan,” she added.
On the occasion, the chief minister handed over cheques of financial package among the heads of some displaced persons’ families.
Mehbooba said the issue of compensation was pending from long. “This is not the issue of Rs 5 lakhs or 10 Lakhs or Rs 20 lakhs. It’s a humanitarian issue,” she said.
Earlier in his address, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said the government has been sensitive to the problems and difficulties of DPs and is working for the mitigation of the same.
In his address, Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari said the government has been working for making this compensation more and more easy for the displaced persons. He said his department would make all efforts in minimizing the difficulties of displaced persons.
Chairman, Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali, several ministers, MPs, legislators, Chief Secretary, B. R. Sharma, Financial Commissioner, Relief & Rehabilitation, B. B. Vyas, senior officers of various Departments and a large number of displaced persons were present on the occasion.
