Srinagar, October 26 (KNS): Terming Farooq Abdullah’s recent controversial statement as unnecessary, former Cabinet Minister and Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir said Abdullah should not have made such a statement.

He made this remark while speaking to reporters today, when asked to comment on National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah’s recent statement that Pakistan was helping protect Kashmiris.

Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “Farooq Sahib should not have made this statement. However, we also need to look at the sequence of his statements. On several occasions, he has described Pakistan as an enemy, but today he is calling it a friend. It is difficult to understand which of his statements he actually believes.”

He further said, “This is the problem with politics in Kashmir. Our politicians are failing to provide clear direction to the people, leaving them confused by their contradictory statements and shifting positions.”

Speaking about the apprehensions of the youth, Mir said, “A party colleague’s 16-year-old son, who is in Class 10, told me yesterday that Farooq Sahib has the privilege of making such statements, whereas an ordinary Kashmiri making a similar statement could be booked under the PSA.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThis reflects how many of our young people perceive the situation. It is obligatory upon the Government of India to take meaningful initiatives to address the apprehensions and concerns of the youth in Jammu & Kashmir and rebuild their trust.”

Reiterating Apni Party’s demand for the talks between centre and people of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “Apni Party’s stand is that the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the Centre must engage in dialogue to bridge the prevailing distance and trust deficit. It is the Government of India that must take the initiative to start these talks. Such a dialogue would help address genuine issues, bridge the trust deficit, and restore credibility in the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.”

“The trust deficit needs to be bridged. Apni Party will never make any statement that could further widen the trust deficit between the Centre and Jammu & Kashmir. Our aim is to rebuild trust, strengthen mutual understanding, and restore the credibility of the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the centre,” Mir added.(KNS)