Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has reached out to a broad spectrum of political leaders and civil society representatives across Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to rise above political differences and jointly engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate a sustained dialogue process on the region’s future.
According to details, Mufti has written letters to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone, Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid, AAP leader Mehraj Malik, PDF Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Panthers Party President Harsh Dev Singh, Shiv Sena (J&K) President Manish Sahni, Kashmiri Pandit leader Sanjay Tickoo, and Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Chairman Jaspal Singh.
In her letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mufti stated that although she had sought an appointment with him, his busy schedule had prevented a meeting. She said she was compelled to write as “time is running out and we cannot afford to delay things any further.”
Referring to recent developments in Ladakh, Mufti said the progress achieved by the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance in their engagement with the Centre demonstrated that dialogue remains the most effective path towards meaningful outcomes.
“Jammu and Kashmir finds itself yet again at a crossroads in its history, where a pervasive feeling of despair and disillusionment has gripped the region,” she wrote, stressing the need for a broad consensus that transcends party and partisan interests.
Mufti argued that restoring the dignity, rights and security of the people requires constructive engagement with the Government of India. She called for a united outreach to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to seek the initiation of a sustained dialogue process with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
She emphasized that political disagreements and competing viewpoints must be set aside in favour of the larger public interest. “This cannot become a matter of political credit or point-scoring. It must be a moment of unity for the collective welfare of the people we all claim to represent,” she wrote.
Urging Omar Abdullah to take the lead, Mufti requested him, as the elected head of the government, to convene an all-party meeting that would bring together political stakeholders from across Jammu and Kashmir. Such a meeting, she said, would lay the groundwork for a formal and collective outreach to the Central Government.
She further noted that political rivalries among regional parties have often undermined the collective interests of Jammu and Kashmir, and argued that a reasonable consensus, particularly in the post-2019 political landscape, is essential for addressing the region’s challenges.
“If Ladakh could do it, so can we,” Mufti wrote, adding that the Chief Minister’s support would be crucial for the success of any united political platform.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, she said that genuine unity during these unprecedented times could help restore the rights and dignity of the people as guaranteed by the Constitution of India. She concluded by urging Abdullah to immediately convene a formal meeting of all political parties and stakeholders, asserting that “we simply cannot drag our feet any longer.”
Mufti also informed the Chief Minister that she had attached a list of political parties and leaders she had already contacted and invited him to include any additional stakeholders deemed necessary for the initiative.
