File Picture Courtesy : Zee News
Unfazed by recent terror strikes , Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called for India-Pakistan talks, quickly adding that she will be dubbed “anti-national” by TV channels for making the appeal.
“Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed (in the state),” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted. “I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesn’t matter. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option.”
Dialogue with Pakistan is necessary if we are to end bloodshed. I know I will be labelled anti-national by news anchors tonight but that doesn’t matter. The people of J&K are suffering. We have to talk because war is not an option.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 12, 2018
It is indeed ironical that the Chief Minister’s appeal comes amid a spurt in militant violence in the state as well as unending border clashes between Indian and Pakistani militaries.
It remains to be seen what the alliance partner BJP thinks of this statement by Mufti, The BJP – PDP have an alliance in the state.
Meanwhile , former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq Abdullah said India can wage war if Pakistan fails to stop terror, but he too advocated the need for a dialogue between the two countries.
The Srinagar MP and senior National Conference leader said war only brings destruction and one can see that from the wars in Iraq, Syria etc. where even bridges didn’t stand and the industry was destroyed.
The former chief minister, while addressing reporters at a golf course in Mullanpur near , asserted: “Kashmir is integral part of India and they (Pakistan) cannot take it. Pakistan is living in a fool’s paradise in thinking that it could ever capture Kashmir… Pakistan should better think of itself and its future rather than keeping an eye on Kashmir.”
