JAMMU, Jan 20: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asserted that the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir through dialogue, dignity, and inclusive development remains the foremost agenda of her party, while reiterating that Kashmir is incomplete without the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
Addressing media persons here, Mehbooba Mufti said the PDP believes that lasting peace can only be achieved by reaching out to the people and reviving the spirit of dialogue that once prevailed in the region. She recalled the era of her father and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, particularly during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when dialogue was pursued both within Jammu and Kashmir and with Pakistan. She said that period witnessed confidence-building measures such as the opening of cross-border routes including Poonch–Rawalakote and Uri–Muzaffarabad.
“Our party has only one agenda, the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir with dignity. Dialogue must be held with all stakeholders. We want Jammu and Kashmir to prosper, remain united, and for the government to genuinely reach out to the people,” she said, adding that the PDP also seeks the return of the Army to barracks once the situation improves and demands that two power projects either be returned to Jammu and Kashmir or that adequate compensation be provided.
Mehbooba Mufti strongly criticised the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party for linking her proposal of granting divisional status to the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions with the Dixon Plan. She termed such allegations misleading and said her demand was purely administrative, aimed at ensuring balanced development and better governance of regions that have long remained neglected.
Responding to remarks by Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba said she holds deep respect for him and considers him one of the tallest leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, but added that linking her proposal to the Dixon Plan was incorrect. “I think he forgot that his own father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was arrested for the same formula. That agenda could belong to the National Conference, but it can never be ours,” she said.
Explaining her stand, the PDP president said Pir Panjal is a backward region that bears the brunt of hostilities along the borders between India and Pakistan, while the Chenab Valley is environmentally fragile and frequently affected by natural disasters and accidents. She said empowering people through decentralised administration is essential for democracy and effective governance.
“I have spoken only about administrative empowerment, not the Dixon Plan. My father spent his entire life keeping Jammu and Kashmir united. That is why he formed a government with the BJP at one point, to respect the people’s mandate,” she said.
Mehbooba Mufti also accused the BJP of attempting to misrepresent her proposal by linking it to Pakistan or hidden agendas, alleging that the party had already altered the political and geographical character of the erstwhile state by carving out Ladakh in 2019 and by supporting demands for separate statehood for Jammu. She further claimed that the BJP itself began implementing a Dixon-like approach when it redrew the boundaries of the Anantnag parliamentary constituency to include Poonch and Rajouri.
On the issue of Kashmiri Pandits, Mehbooba Mufti said their return is essential for restoring the Valley’s plural character. “Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits. The people of the Valley are eagerly waiting for their return. They must take their own decision, but we want them back,” she said.
She also revealed that during a recent meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, she suggested that instead of nominating members of the community to the Assembly, seats should be reserved for Kashmiri Pandits. “Let them come and contest elections. They will seek votes and Muslims will vote for them. That is how communities will truly come together,” she added.