Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday pressed for the inclusion of Hurriyat Conference leaders in talks over Kashmir. She was addressing the gathering of thousands of people who had assembled in SK Park on the eve of party’s 19th foundation day. Mehbooba Mufti said, ''The PDP took initiative for the ceasefire during Ramzan.
I appeal to the Centre to show a positive attitude towards Hurriyat and aim to bring them to the table to start a dialogue.'' Mehbooba Mufti said that, “PDP took initiative for ceasefire during Ramzan. I appeal to the Centre to show positive attitude towards Hurriyat & aim to bring them at the table to start”. She added that the PDP leader had sometimes back warned the Centre of serious consequences if attempts were made to break her party. “Pakistan is getting a new government, a new prime minister.
He has made an offer of friendship. I want to appeal PM Modi to respond to the offer positively,” said Mehbooba at the PDP raising day function in Srinagar. Mehbooba said that Article 345-A is a challenge for all Kashmiri political parties. She appealed to all the parties to set aside differences and fight together to defend the Article. “All the parties should set aside differences and defend the article the way we did during past two years,” she said. Thanking her party workers who had turned up at the function, Mehbooba said: “I remained silent during past two years. But today I will talk to you.
But you are the workers of my party. Who else to tell other than you. My father and I are indebted to you,” she said. She also said that she didn’t compromise on any issue during her two years as chief minister of the state. “As many times I met PM Modi I asked him to initiate dialogue with Pakistan and Hurriyat Conference. I told centre to release Hurriyat leaders from NIA custody so that peace will prevail in Kashmir,” she said.