SRINAGAR: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday visited the family of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who lost his life while protecting tourists during the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people, mostly visitors, dead.
Dr Farooq handed over the one-month basic salary of the concerned Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Pahalgam, Altaf Kaloo, to Adil’s father, Hyder Shah, at his residence in Pahalgam.
The father of the Pahalgam braveheart thanked Dr Farooq Abdullah and other leaders for expressing solidarity and sharing their grief.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Dr Farooq, in response to a query, said it is time to review the Indus Water Treaty, stating that people are facing a water crisis despite Jammu and Kashmir having significant water resources.
“We have been saying for a long time that the Indus Water Treaty needs to be reviewed. We are facing hardships because of this treaty. Despite having our own rivers, we are experiencing a water crisis. We are not asking to stop water to them (Pakistan), but we also have a right to it,” he said.
He added that Jammu has been facing an acute water shortage. “We tried to supply water to Jammu residents from the Chenab, but the World Bank did not support the proposal, citing the Indus Water Treaty. It is time to bring water from the Chenab to Jammu,” he said.
“We are also facing a power crisis. We can generate thousands of megawatts of electricity from these rivers. We should not remain deprived of electricity. These issues must be addressed,” Dr Abdullah said.
He said that the biggest message today is that tourists are not afraid and have defeated the objectives of those behind the Pahalgam attack.
“Those who tried to spread fear have failed. The terrorists involved in the act have failed. It has been proven today that we are not going to be frightened. Kashmir was and will always remain a part of India,” he said. (KNO)
