J&K must create atmosphere to unite India, Pak: CM Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that J&K had to create “such an atmosphere so that India and Pakistan are compelled to come together.”“The relations between India and Pakistan are bad at this point but they cannot remain the same always. Both nations have to live and die together. We have to create such a good atmosphere in the state so that India and Pakistan are compelled to come together,” Mehbooba said while addressing an impressive party function to commemorate her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s first death anniversary. “This enmity between the two (India and Pakistan) has a direct impact on the J&K situation. However, this enmity is not going to continue.”Later, talking to reporters after the function, Mehbooba said that after taking over as CM in 2002, her father had started a political process and it had resulted in good relations between India and Pakistan.“…But unfortunately, because of the governments here as well as in Delhi, that process could not be taken forward. Then when he took over again in 2015, he had to start from zero but unfortunately he did not get the opportunity,” she said.The Chief minister said that they were again trying to create such an atmosphere in J&K. “I wrote a letter (to the separatists) but we did not get a desired response. I am trying that we together create such a situation so that a process is started,” she said.Mehbooba said she was hopeful that they would succeed.“First we should talk within us. Our people are fighting against each other. Our children should be in schools, with pens in their hands. Sometimes, certain elements push stones in their hands in place of balls. It will take time and we are hopeful to succeed,” she said.Earlier in the day, Mehbooba visited Bijbehara in Anantnag and paid floral tributes at the mausoleum of her father at Dara Shikoh Park. She offered ‘fatiha’ and joined ‘Koran Khwani’.

PDP observes first death anniversary of Mufti

Jammu: Rich tributes were paid to former Chief Minister and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on his first death anniversary at a commemoration function organised at Zorawar Singh Auditorium of here on Saturday. MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig was the chief guest at the function that was also attended by Legislative Council Chairman Haji Inayat Ali, ministers, PDP legislators and leaders. Baig said Mufti was gifted with a charismatic aura and it was with this unique attribute that whosoever, used to meet the great leader felt an immediate connection with him. “Even if you had a brief interaction with him, he made you feel like you were his son, or his daughter or his sister or brother,” Baig said. — TNS