Srinagar Oct 19: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said any durable resolution of Kashmir problem would have to address the sentiments, dreams and interests of the youth of the state.
 In her interaction with a team of British diplomats here she said young population of Kashmir has articulated its feelings on the issues facing them during the current unrest as never before. “A new narrative is emerging from Kashmir that has to be configured into any resolution format”, she told British High Commission’s Islamabad Political Head Sharon McDonald and her counterpart in New Delhi Victoria Whilford when they called on her.
 Mehbooba told the diplomats that the youth of Kashmir must get what comes by right to every citizen of free world. This she told them has been the cornerstone of the policy and political agenda of her party.
 Explaining various features of her party’s political and economic agenda Mehbooba said it aimed at breaking the siege around the state that was created in the aftermath of partition. While the party did not want to reopen the issues of sovereignty she said it would work for virtual reunion of the erstwhile state so that the two parts could benefit from their immense natural resources and prime strategic location. A joint interest exists between the two parts in sectors like power, water, environment, tourism and trade, she said.
 Mehbooba said J&K enjoyed a location that was unique as it is connected with important and economically resurgent, South Asia, central Asia and has land access to rest of the world. Unfortunately, as a result of dispute she said the region became hostage to conflicting interests which should be addressed to lead our new generations into a world of hope and opportunity. She said the human resource of the state was comparable to the best in the world and it was a pity that doles and alms were prescribed to them in place of conditions for growth and facilitation for development. “A long term resolution has to focus on this aspect”, she added.
 About the internal and inter regional issues of the state, Mehbooba told the diplomats PDP’s proposal for devolution of powers could remove the feeling of discrimination.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST