Situation in valley alarming, future of Jammu and Kashmir doesn't lie with Pakistan: Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR:  Terming the situation in Kashmir as “alarming”, Jammu and Kashmir opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said the future of Kashmiris did not lie with Pakistan.

“People in Kashmir are intoxicated by Azadi,” 82-year-old Abdullah said while speaking at a function in Srinagar. He said future of Kashmiris did not lie with Pakistan.

“People of Kashmir cannot go to the country they were dreaming of and that Pakistan was not the future for Kashmiris. Don’t mislead people towards destructions,” the NC president said.

Referring to situation in Kashmir, Abdullah said, “Situation in Kashmir is alarming. If the situation remains so, people at all places will sacrifice their lives for achieving martyrdom.”

 “If we have to come out of this storm, then it is must to resolve Kashmir issue as early as possible. It is must to hold talks with Pakistan. Till talks are not held with Pakistan, there can be no solution to the Kashmir issue,” he said.

Abdullah said the dialogue has to take place. “How long are you going to wait.. Till the last bullet will finish... and they you would start dialogue”.

Referring to Kashmiri youth picking up guns, he said, “The young people of Kashmir are seeing their future dark. To improve the future of the boys, the government has to see it that constitution is followed in letter and spirit.”

Suggesting that everyone should collectively take responsibility for the situation Kashmiri youth were caught, Abdullah said, “We created the situation where we are seeing our youth in trouble.”

Urging the State to become self-reliant, he said, “When will we stand on our feet and tell India we don’t need your help? Until then we will continue to remain slaves.”

Calling for greater autonomy, Abdullah said, “Autonomy has to be restored to restore the honour of the people of the State. The autonomy of the State should be restored.”

The three-time chief minister said troops were not only killing militants but also innocent people who were not militants.  

Hitting out at ruling PDP, he said PDP should have left the government.

“Unfortunately, they love power and for this power, they failed to start a dialogue process they have been calling for themselves for the past four years,” added Abdullah.

He also welcomed Supreme Court ruling that Article 370 was not a temporary law.