While Imran Khan has talked of peaceful talks between Indian and Pakistan, with hopes to bring relief to Jammu Kashmir, the state’s former Chief Minister Mehaboob Mufti urges for it.
Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s “hand of friendship” and his offer to settle the decades-long Kashmir dispute through dialogue.
While addressing a rally in Srinagar to mark the 19th foundation day of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti said, “I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A new government will be formed in Pakistan and there will be a new prime minister, who has extended a hand of friendship towards India. He (Khan) spoke of dialogue. He (Modi) should respond to it positively.”
“It is my request that he (Modi) should grab the opportunity and respond positively to the offer of friendship by Imran Khan,” she added.
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While referring to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s efforts of maintaining peace with Pakistan, Mufti said, “Elections come and go. (Then Prime Minister) AB Vajpayee extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan and also entered a ceasefire on the borders. This is statesmanship, such leaders do not think about elections but about the people. Jammu and Kashmir is the biggest challenge for the PMs of our country.”
“The PM who resolves the Jammu and Kashmir issue within the ambit of humanity, ends the bloodshed in the state and improves relations with Pakistan, his name will be written in golden letters in the history,” she said.
The PDP leader also said that during her term as CM, she called on the prime minister to discuss with him the need to hold talks with the neighboring country as well as the people of the state. She added that the Hurriyat leaders, who were arrested by the National Investigation Agency on Eid, must be released if the Centre wished to hold peaceful dialogue with the separatists.
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