'PDP doors open for like-minded individuals, parties, groups'

Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today (March 1) said the party would continue to reflect the urges and aspirations of all the regions and sub-regions of the State as mandated by the people.

A resolution adopted at the day-long meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee here today resolved that, as the main opposition party, PDP will create new standards of honest, constructive and fearless opposition as it did set new trends while in the Government.

The meeting noted with satisfaction the greater acceptability of the PDP agenda by people from different walks of life and shades of opinion across the State that are joining it in a significant reversal of trends in power politics. “The party values this sentiment while keeping its doors open to all like minded, forward looking, sincere and honest individuals, parties and groups,” the resolution states.

Saluting the people of Jammu and Kashmir for expressing unreserved confidence in democratic means to secure their rights, the resolution states that the enthusiastic participation of the people in recent elections not only empowers them to make and break governments but also lifts the status and prestige of the State Assembly as an institution to lead from the front the efforts to end their miseries.

The meeting viewed with satisfaction the growing concord of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the PDP programs and agenda. “As reflected in the outcome of recent elections to the State Assembly the endorsement of Self-Rule proposal strengthens the party’s resolve to work for its implementation to address all the dimensions of problems facing the State and its people,” the meeting observed.

The meeting reiterated the party’s resolve to rededicate itself to the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem through civilized and internationally acknowledged democratic means to realize the ultimate goal of a dignified, secure and prosperous life for the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting called upon the leadership of the country and Pakistan to take note of the sentiment of peace emanating from Jammu and Kashmir, accord it the respect it deserves and address the issues concerning the State with a sense of urgency, sincerity and seriousness. It called for isolation of hawks on either side and resumption of the stalled dialogue and peace process to redeem the progress made so far.

Demanding immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Working Groups constituted by the Prime Minister, the meeting observed that any delay in doing so can generate further frustrations on political and economic fronts within the State.

“The complete restoration of rights of the State over its water resources should begin with the return of central power projects to the State as recommended by the Working Group on economic matters and also by the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Economic Development of Jammu & Kashmir headed by former RBI Governor Rangarajan,” the meeting observed.

Taking a serious note of the unfortunate killing of innocents in various incidents that occurred in different parts of the Kashmir valley, the meeting observed that coming as they did immediately after an overwhelming majority of citizens came out to cast their vote for democracy and peaceful resolution, these tragic incidents not only add to the thousands of personal and family tragedies but have the potential of throwing the State back into another cycle of alienation and unrest.

The meeting called for total dismantling of repression to prevent recurrence of such incidents. For achieving that, the dignity and authority of civil society and its institutions cannot be delayed. Strength of troops on internal security duties should be brought down to pre-militancy levels, lands and buildings under unauthorized use of the security forces be vacated and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) scrapped immediately keeping in line with the improved security scenario, the meeting observed.

PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, party President Mehbooba Mufti, senior leaders, legislators and executive committee members attended the meeting.