Jammu, August 1(KNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that funds meant for development, employment, schools, and welfare are being diverted to buy weapons.

According to KNS Correspondent, she made these remarks while addressing party workers during a public meeting in Jammu to mark the PDP’s 26th foundation anniversary.

She said that conflicts and wars benefit global arms industries and that regions like Jammu and Kashmir are made the ground for such purposes. “If a big country wants a war between India and Pakistan, they only need to create a blast in Kashmir or Jammu. Then a war will begin, and weapons will be sold,” she said.

Mufti named countries like China, the United States, Israel, and Germany as global arms manufacturers who, she said, profit during conflicts. “They can only sell weapons when there is war between India and Pakistan,” she said.

She said the current approach to national security comes at the cost of poverty alleviation and employment. “We provide free food to 80 crore people. We are not able to give jobs. The same money could be used to solve unemployment and poverty,” she said.

Mufti said the situation in schools and hospitals in the region reflects this shift in priorities. “There are no doctors, no medicines, and even no fans in schools. That is because most money is spent on arms,” she said.

She also referred to the economic crisis in Pakistan and compared it to India’s challenges. “Pakistan runs on debt, but we are a big country. Still, the desire for war holds us back.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe issues of Jammu and Kashmir hold us back,” she said.

Mufti said her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, believed peace with Pakistan was essential to ensure progress in Jammu and Kashmir. “He used to say that unless there is peace, we cannot fight poverty or create jobs. We cannot provide electricity to everyone,” she said.

She said that despite Jammu and Kashmir’s natural resources—like water used to generate electricity for the rest of India, and minerals mined locally—the region remains economically backward. “The educated youth here are not getting opportunities. Still, we lag behind,” she said.

Speaking on regional imbalance, she said the concerns of Jammu are often ignored in national politics. “We talk about Kashmir every day, even international leaders talk about Kashmir, but hardly anyone talks about Jammu. And when they do, it is during elections,” she said.

Mufti also questioned the record of the BJP and National Conference in Jammu since 2018. “Since 2018, BJP had the government in both Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. What did it deliver for Jammu?” she asked. “Unemployment and inflation are still high.”

She criticised political promises made during elections, such as free electricity, subsidised cylinders, and job guarantees. “One year has passed. What happened to those promises?” she asked.

She also said that peace in Jammu and Kashmir is essential for meaningful development. “As long as there is no peace, the situation will remain the same,” she said.(KNS).