Srinagar
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday urged governments of India and Pakistan to imitate the spirit of Kartarpur Corridor in the state of Jammu and Kashmir by opening all the routes along LoC and international border that have become vestigial post partition.
Dr Farooq while addressing a gathering at Dewan Bagh Baramulla said that the topography of the state afforded it a geographical dividend that ceased to persist post-1947.
“I urge the governments of India and Pakistan to open the traditional routes between the two countries. This initiative will not only help boost the economic activities on both sides of the border besides, but it will also help rekindle the flame of friendship between India and Pakistan. The increased people to people contact and other CBMs can go a long way in doing away with the mistrust,” he said.
Dr Farooq said that National Conference has no predilection for power and has never compromised on Art 370 and Art 35 A.
“We were obligated to shore up the alliance with PDP-INC following relentless and unfailing attacks on our special position by those who are inimical to the special status of our state. The sole purpose of the anticipated alliance was to put up a strong front against the forces who are fiddling with the working autonomy of our institutions, their hierarchy, and their basic structure,” he said.
“National Conference is not power hungry. Had we been after power and position, my father wouldn’t have served penitentiary and confinement for more than two decades; had we in our party shown any inclination for power, I wouldn’t have kicked the chair and resigned from the post of the chief minister when Jagmohan was deputed as governor to our state. The honor and dignity of my people is dearer to me than anything. However our struggle has been peaceful and nonviolent,” he said.
Referring to the alteration in the structure and working of various institutions in the state he said, “At a time when a popularly elected government is not in place it is highly unbecoming of the state governor administration to fiddle with our institutions. The recent onslaught of SAC on the prime financial institution of our state is a point in case. I urge the incumbent administration to rollback the SAC decision of converting JK Bank into a PSU, it will prove detrimental to working of the bank,” he said.
Dr Farooq Abdullah blamed Sajad Lone’s father Abdul Ghani Lone for bringing gun culture to Kashmir.
He said that “I know Sajad Lone blame on me and my party, but I won’t say anything. Otherwise, I know when his father told me that he will go Pakistan and will pick up a gun, I pleaded before him that don’t bring a gun to Kashmir. I told him it will take the lives of our youngsters and honour of our daughters. When he returned back he accepted it was his mistake.”
Later party president paid a visit to the bereaved family of late Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani (Uri) who had recently passed away.
Expressing condolences Dr Farooq said, “Wani Sahab assisted late Afzal Beg Sahib in the run-up to Beg-Parthasarathy accord, I pray for peace to the soul of deceased and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss,” he said.
