Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has expressed dismay over the latest verbal acrobatics of some State politicians, who have at the Prime Minister's all party meeting, reportedly, advocated punitive military action against Pakistan. "Such hawkish rhetoric was not expected to emit, at least, from Jammu & Kashmir as any confrontation in the region would have disastrous consequences for the State and its people," he said.
Addressing series of public meetings in Chadoora, Chrar-e-Sharief and Beerwa constituencies of district Budgam today, Sayeed pleaded for a united response from the people of Jammu & Kashmir to the grave challenge facing the region. He said instead of indulging in war-mongering rhetoric, various shades of the State's political opinion must close their ranks to prevent the State and the region from sliding into another gloomy era of uncertainty and devastation. "The situation necessitates not only avoiding any provocative utterances but demands great caution and restrain from the State's political leadership," he said and called for inclusive engagement of the people, cutting across the political divide, to revive the peace and reconciliation efforts in the region.
"We in Jammu & Kashmir understand better what the ordeal of violence is, as it has been our fate to live through and survive its frightening hazards," Sayeed said and added that for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, suffering two decades of turmoil, has been a long, dark experience, bloody at times and frustrating at almost every step. "After over decades of agony, we had started seeing a ray of hope in the peace process that is now, unfortunately, under severe threat," he said and expressed the hope that the dark shadows of pessimism cast over the peace process by the tragic Mumbai incidents will not jeopardise the region's security and stability as any such scenario would have disastrous consequences for the people living in the region.
Reiterating that cooperation and not confrontation is the key to challenge the scourge of terror in the region, Sayeed said given the experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military action has not only proved inadequate in dealing with the thorn in your side, but has made the World more vulnerable to new threats. "The leadership of India and Pakistan must, amid the prevailing trying circumstances, act with political sagacity and do not allow the disruptive elements to shatter the region's peace and stability," he said.
Sayeed said the historic peace process initiated by India and Pakistan in 2003 has, right from its initiation, been a target of various disruptive forces, who don't want peace and stability gaining ground in the region. "As the peace process has withstood the challenges of government change in India and political legitimacy crisis in Pakistan, the elements inimical to the process are now resorting to desperate acts of violence to sabotage it," he said and added that the onus now lies on the leadership of India and Pakistan to present a united response to the new threat perception instead of indulging in blame-game.
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