PDP's Mehbooba Mufti pitches 'self-rule' for Kashmir yet again, says it is still relevant

People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti yet again pitched her demand for 'self-rule' and demanded a resolution for Kashmir issue as per agenda of Mufti Mohamm Syed. former J&K CM claimed that a resolution along lines of Mufti Mohamm Syed's agenda was essential to not compromise on sovereignty of India and Pakistan. Terming Mufti Mohamm Syed's idea of 'self-rule' as relevant for Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti said at party's Political Affairs Committee meeting at Srinagar that India wished to have peace with Pakistan as y wanted to expand ir reach to Central Asia and claimed that Kashmir was way for it. 

"Don’t ignore Kashmir issue when you speak of Article 370. y want to change narrative that people want statehood and when y give, it and all ends. Kashmir is an issue and we want a resolution", Mehbooba Mufti said.

Mufti echoes Pakistan's Bajwa

Backing Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's call for 'Indo-Pak talks', PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday, said that Indian government should initiate talks with Pakistan. dressing a public outreach program at Jammu-Kashmir's Chawlagam, Kulgam, ex-CM echoed Bajwa's remarks saying 'Cannot reach peace without resolving Kashmir issue'. Mufti h previously also urged Centre to talk to Pakistan, amid multiple ceasefire violations.

" government should initiate peace talks with Pakistan, now that Bajwa me statement. government should understand way of peace talks goes through Kashmir issue. We cannot reach peace without resolving Kashmir issue, people will have to face atrocities here," she said.

On March 19, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa called for India to 'bury past and move forward' as peace between two neighbours would help to 'unlock' potential of South and Central Asia. dressing a session of first-ever Islamab Security Dialogue, General Bajwa also said that potential for regional peace and development has remained hostage to age-old disputes between two 'nuclear-armed neighbours'. Bajwa, however, ded that burden to create a "conducive environment" is on India and noted role played by US in resolving regional conflicts.

Mufti wants PM Modi to attend SAARC summit in Pakistan

Earlier in month, Mehbooba Mufti h opined that a good follow-up to LOC ceasefire would be PM Modi attending SAARC meeting if it is held in Pakistan this year. Amid relentless ceasefire violations by Pakistan,  Director Generals of Military Operations of both countries reviewed  situation in a "free, frank and cordial" atmosphere. Consenting on dressing each or's core concerns, y agreed to strictly observe all agreements and stop firing from February 25. Welcoming this development, Mufti h asserted that dialogue is only way forward if both countries want to stop "unending cycle" of violence and bloodshed across borders and Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to media, she expressed hope that focus will be on ensuring a long-lasting peace in region. Moreover, she claimed that emergence of People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration and Joe Biden ministration h a key role to play in India and Pakistan recalibrating ir stance. It is pertinent to note that former J&K CM has been consistently urging Centre to initiate dialogue with Pakistan.