Mehbooba Mufti Pledges to Restore Article 370 in Kashmir, Calls for Democratic Action

Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vowed to restore Article 370 and reclaim rights that were revoked in August 2019, emphasizing the resolution of the Kashmir issue as her party’s top priority. During several road shows in Bijbehara, south Kashmir, she called for a united democratic effort to achieve lasting peace and address the region’s deep-seated problems.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Mehbooba was accompanied by fellow PDP leaders as she outlined the extensive sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people, including the orphaning of children and the widowing of women, due to the long-standing conflict. She stressed the importance of reclaiming Article 370, which granted special autonomy to the region, and promised to restore it with added benefits.

During her campaign, Mehbooba highlighted the current climate of fear in Jammu and Kashmir, criticizing the suppression of civil liberties and routine violations such as unwarranted stops and searches along the Islamabad-Srinagar highway. She noted that young people are particularly affected, facing frequent frisks, confiscation of their mobile phones, and false charges.

Furthermore, Mehbooba expressed concerns over the encroachment of ancestral lands, exploitation of local resources, and rising unemployment and drug abuse among the youth. She called for urgent measures to uplift the disenfranchised and restore their rights, underscoring the need for a comprehensive strategy to bring peace and stability to the region.