by Jahangir Sofi
SRINAGAR: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, pledging to protect free speech, restore statehood, and address various socio-economic issues.
At the party headquarters in Srinagar, former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, alongside senior party members, asserted their commitment to safeguarding press freedoms and ensuring the independence of the media. “In a time of growing threats to journalists and press freedom, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding free speech and ensuring that the media operates without fear,” stated Mufti.
Titled “People’s Aspirations,” the manifesto underlines the PDP’s dedication to defending the role of the media as an independent pillar of democracy. The document, a copy of which was obtained by Kashmir Life, explicitly addresses the growing threats faced by journalists, asserting that the party will prioritize the protection of press freedoms in Jammu and Kashmir.
The manifesto outlines several key policy goals, including restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, advocating diplomatic engagement between India and Pakistan, and establishing full connectivity across the Line of Control (LoC) to facilitate trade and social exchanges. Additionally, the PDP vows to create a regional free-trade area and to push for the revocation of controversial laws such as the Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
The PDP has also affirmed its intention to re-establish the Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Commission, pledging to eliminate undue harassment on highways to ensure safer and more respectful road experiences.
On the employment front, the manifesto commits to regularizing 60,000 daily wagers within a year and enhancing the honorarium for contractual teaching staff in colleges and universities across the region.
Mufti also highlighted the party’s plans to enforce free legal aid for prisoners and restore the Waqf Board with a focus on transparency, accountability, and community engagement. The manifesto promises the reimplementation of the Darbar move to address the needs of both regions and the establishment of a dedicated cell to assist youth and their families with passport-related issues.
The manifesto also addresses the rights of tribal communities, ensuring the full implementation of the Forest Rights Act to protect land rights and prevent unlawful displacement.
To decentralise governance, the PDP proposes the establishment of mini-secretariats in Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Poonch, Rajouri, and other pending districts, thereby improving access to administrative services.
For the Kashmiri Pandit community, the manifesto underscores a commitment to their dignified return to their homeland, ensuring they are welcomed back as honoured members of the community. The party promises to revoke the current 1 BHK housing scheme, replacing it with a minimum allocation of 2BHK apartments for every returning family. It also pledges to ensure that Kashmiri Pandits are among the first beneficiaries of the Government of India’s scheme providing 5 marlas of land for landless families.
In the agriculture sector, the PDP plans to implement advanced crop protection measures, real-time disease and pest monitoring and targeted management campaigns with a focus on horticulture. The manifesto also promises to expand the use of solar-powered pumps, drip irrigation, and rainwater harvesting to ensure efficient water use and reduce dependency on monsoons.
