SRINAGAR: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said unemployment remains among the major issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the government has failed to address concerns affecting the future of youth.
Bukhari made the remarks while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an extraordinary party meeting with district leadership in Kupwara.
“This government has failed to address the grave challenges confronting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It does not even seriously discuss issues like unemployment, which is destroying the future of our youth and, in many cases, pushing them towards the menace of drug abuse,” he said.
He also raised concerns over the lack of basic amenities in several areas, saying people continue to face difficulties in accessing essential services, including drinking water.
“It is unfortunate that in this day and age, people in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir do not even have reliable access to basic necessities like drinking water,” Bukhari said.
Asked about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference government’s alleged failure to fulfil several election promises, including the commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to consumers, Bukhari said the government had failed to deliver on some of the assurances on which votes were sought.
“Omar Abdullah is a thorough gentleman, but the fact remains that his government has failed to deliver on several promises on the basis of which his party sought and secured votes from the people,” he said.
Bukhari said people had voted for the National Conference with certain expectations and were within their right to question the government over unfulfilled commitments.
“Electoral promises are not merely political statements; they carry a responsibility towards the people who place their trust in a government,” he said.
During the meeting, party leaders apprised Bukhari of various public issues in the district and discussed the prevailing political situation. Several organisational matters were also brought to his notice.
Bukhari also spoke about domicile-related provisions in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the government could have extended the mandatory residency period for obtaining domicile status if it was willing to do so.
“If this government had been willing, it could have extended the mandatory residency period for obtaining domicile status in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
During his day-long visit to Kupwara, Bukhari also made condolence visits at several places.
He expressed condolences to Apni Party district secretary Kupwara Syed Javaid Geelani over the death of his mother, Masooda Begum.
He also visited Peer Ramzan and condoled the demise of his maternal cousin, Hayat Kumar of Herri Qadirabad. Bukhari also offered Fateh at the grave of Sufi Buzarg Qadir Sahib.
Among those present during the meeting were Apni Party chief spokesperson and state secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, district president Kupwara Raja Manzoor, provincial secretary and Handwara constituency in-charge Abdul Rashid Bhat, provincial joint secretary Kashmir and Lolab constituency in-charge Abdul Rehman Wani, provincial joint secretary and Lolab constituency in-charge Sofi Irfan, district vice president and Trehgam constituency in-charge Dr Noor Din Shah, senior vice president Kupwara Mohammad Amin Bhat and district coordinator Kupwara and Langate constituency in-charge Mohammad Munawar Khaja.
Several other party functionaries, including leaders and office-bearers from Kupwara, Handwara, Lolab, Trehgam, Langate, Karnah, Sogam and other areas, also attended the meeting.
