Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Dr FarooqAbdullah on Wednesday called for de-escalation of India-Pakistan tensions andurged both the countries to maintain maximum restraint for the greater good ofhumanity.
Dr Farooq while addressing a delegation of people from southKashmir here said, “A war apparently seems a little word of few letters but itseffects are always harmful. It brings destruction which cannot be compensatedfor many years. No peaceful mind wants war. I urge the peace loving people inboth the countries to come forth and help de-escalate the situation. I ampretty sure that number of people who want peace far exceed the hawkish peoplenumerically, it is right time for the doves to come forward.”
“It is the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially thoseliving on both sides of the LoC or international border who have to face thebrunt of skirmishes between the two countries. Let the war belong to tragicpast in the history. It should find no place on our agenda. Let me remind thetwo nations that war is a plague that will have far-reaching consequences onthe growth and development of the two nations, besides that it will make thelives of people living on the both sides of border no less a scourge,” he said.
Dr Farooq said that history bears testimony to the fact thatwar didn’t help both the neighbors resolve their long pending issues. “It is inthe interest of our region if both the countries shun war rhetoric. I also urgeboth the countries to shun violence for the greater good of people living inboth countries especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Dr Farooq while expressing dismay over the scarcity of basicamenities in Kashmir division said, “People are hankering for petrol, cookinggas, medicines and other basic components of day to day life. It is the duty ofincumbent administration to make sure that people don’t have to crave for basicamenities,” adding, “The incumbent administration should gear up to ensure allbasic and effective amenities to the people living in urban and rural areas.”
Urging the people to show steadfastness in forging unity, DrFarooq said, “Right from the times of Jawaharlal Nehru our party has been ascorn in the eyes of those who are inimical to our special constitutional position.New Delhi has always tried to create leaders in every street of the Kashmir.But our party with the active participation of people trounced all themachinations as were contrived to destroy our special status.”
Dr Farooq said that it is the PDP that helped BJP to makeinroads into the state of Jammu and Kashmir. “Had PDP not propped up analliance with BJP, things would have been different on the ground. Now it is upto people to show them their right place and salvage the state towardsdevelopment and prosperity,” he added.
Among others senior Mian Altaf Ahmad, Peer Afaq, MushtaqGuroo, Sabiya Qadri, Ahsan Pardesi, Mudasir Shahmiri were also present on theoccasion.