Srinagar, Aug 2 (KNS): PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir should be financially compensated for the electricity it supplies to the rest of the country, while also demanding free power for the poor in the region.

“We don’t give electricity to Pakistan, we give it to our own country. But in return, our state is not getting any real benefit. The poor people of J&K deserve free electricity, and we should be financially compensated,” she said, according to KNS.

She also raised serious questions over what she termed as large-scale irregularities in voter lists across the country. Citing Maharashtra as an example, she said, “Between the parliamentary and assembly elections, over one crore new voters were added. How is this possible? This undermines the democratic process.”

Referring to the deaths of several tribal youths in Kashmir, Mufti questioned the official narratives and called for an independent probe.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelShe mentioned cases from Pulwama, Bandipora, and Noorabad, alleging a disturbing pattern. “These youths are being labelled without evidence, picked up, and later declared dead in encounters or suicides. There has to be accountability.”

On foreign policy, Mufti said that India’s continuous hostility with Pakistan was damaging the country's economy and keeping people trapped in poverty and unemployment. She said dialogue not just globally, but with Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir was essential for lasting peace.

Recalling the efforts of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mufti said, “Even Prime Minister Modi has the authority to take a bold step. If he decides to take a Vajpayee-like approach opening roads and building trust we will praise him. But if the policy remains like that of August 5, 2019, we will continue to oppose it.”(KNS)