Dialogue with Pakistan only path to peace in South Asia: Mehbooba
Srinagar : Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti has welcomed RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s remarks advocating continued dialogue and people-to-people contact with Pakistan, saying there is “no other way out” to ensure lasting peace in South Asia, particularly in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Mehbooba Mufti, while addressing a gathering in Srinagar, said the recent statements from influential Indian circles reflect a growing realization within India that confrontation and hostility have failed to resolve issues with Pakistan and Kashmir. She maintained that dialogue remains the only viable roadmap for peace and stability in the region.
She said the statement proves that New Delhi understands that engagement with Pakistan cannot be avoided despite its aggressive public rhetoric.
The PDP president said her late father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had long maintained that regardless of political posturing, India would eventually have to return to the negotiating table.
She termed his vision of dialogue, reconciliation and cross-LoC engagement as the only practical solution to the Kashmir dispute.
Mehbooba recalled that during the PDP-led government, cross-LoC trade and travel routes, including the Rawalakot route, were opened to encourage economic activity. “We wanted goods and business to move across borders instead of guns, but those routes were later shut down,” she said.
She also expressed concern over the worsening situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, saying the people of Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley had suffered immensely due to political uncertainty, unemployment, inflation and administrative neglect.
