Srinagar, Mar 11 (KNS): In response to the statement of PDP leader and Minister for Finance Dr Haseeb Drabu (in which he has said Kashmir is not an issue nor there is any conflict, instead there are some social issues), PDP leader and MLC Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said that "I am not sure in what background or frame of mind Dr Haseeb Drabu has given this statement; if this is slip of his tongue then he should come clean on that. If he stands by what he has said, then it is not an ordinary statement or something which should not be contested, because this is a serious issue and can’t be ignored by just terming it “his own viewpoint.” Dr Drabu is not only an important figure in the government but also holds important positions within the party, so something he has said which goes against the very stand and ideology of the PDP should be taken serious note of."
In a statement issued to KNS, Manhas said that Dr Drabu’s statement challenges the party’s basic stand vis-à-vis Kashmir issue and if his statement is accepted, or deemed to be a stand of the party, then that shakes the very foundation of the PDP which has been built by sweat and blood of the founders and workers. A single person has not right to change rather abuse the very stance of a party which came into being on the principles of fairness and justice regarding the political issues and rights of the people of State, and the plank on which party sough mandate from the people.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelAnd that mandate is that Kashmir issue is a 70-year-old political issue which has taken lives of lakhs of people . Since its onset and our Chief Minister has been consistently vouching for friendship between India and Pakistan, and the subsequent dialogue to solve this seven decade issue acceptable to the people of J&K. However, Dr Drabu has relegated the issue to the level of a “mrere social issue,” which is an insult and abuse to the ideology of the PDP.
He said that Dr Drabu should tell us, if Kashmir is not a conflict zone, then why we have five lakh army and para military forces stationed in this small bowl of Kashmir? Are they here playing cricket or Gilli Danda? What does the presence of regular army at every nook and corner indicate?
PDP leader said that why still we have AFSPA imposed here? Is that to counter the social crimes? Despite the fact that the social crime rate in Kashmir is much less than that other parts of India!
Manhas said that Dr Drabu may be well advised to come clean on his confused and confusing statement, that is need more so in the present environment when our party workers are already striving to keep their political poise. I am of the opinion that this statement of Dr Drabu adds fuel to fire, thus adding to the tribulations of our party-men. (KNS)