PDF can’t remain away from Gukpar Declaration: Hakeem Yasin

Srinagar, Sept 02: Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yasin on Wednesday said the party will keep itself away from contesting polls till the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is not restored in a dignified manner.
PDF Chairman said that there is no question of contesting polls till GoI will not restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and 35(A) in a dignified manner.
“Till special status of J&K is not restored, PDF will not contest polls in J&K”, Hakeem Yasin said.
He urged the Government of India to revoke the decisions taken on August 5, 2019, and termed it “unfortunate” and “unacceptable”. “The decisions taken on August 5, 2019, when New Delhi stripped special status of J&K from its Constitution was unfortunate and unacceptable for people of J&K”, he said.
PDF Chairman clarified that whosoever will start a movement for restoration of Article 370 and 35(A), will positively get wholehearted support from the party. “Whosoever will step ahead with a movement to restore the special status of J&K will get our party’s support wholeheartedly”, he said adding PDF can’t remain away from Gupkar Declaration but some issues need clarification at this juncture.
He said that those conflicting with Gupkar Declaration are not the well-wishers of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He also said that recently when the joint statement of the Gupkar Declaration came to the fore, though he was also invited in the meet but was not allowed to step outside his residence by authorities. He clarified that whosoever will carry a movement to serve the interests of people of J&K will be supported by PDF.
Talking to a local news agency, he said “I feel honored to be a part of movement constituted for the restoration of the special status of J&K”, he maintained and added the way Article 370 and 35(A) was abrogated is unacceptable for us.
About a query about why Pakistan extended its support to the Gupkar Declaration, PDF Chairman said that the Kashmir issue has external dimensions. “Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had extended his hand to Pakistan for strengthening friendly ties between the two neighboring countries. He opened several routes to deescalate the tensions”, he said, and adding if we too have to decline hostility, we have no alternative except to honor the aspiration of people of J&K, he said.
He said if both nations come closer to each other, it will be the people of Jammu and Kashmir who will reap its benefits.
About the current political situation in J&K, Hakeem Yasin said that Governor rule is not any way alternate of elected Government. He said people on the ground are facing hardships, their complaints are unattended, issues unaddressed and problems ignored and it is why they too feel absence of an elected Government.
He maintained that how come people of J&K will take part in the political process when New Delhi degraded the powers of the Chief Minister? “People of the region feel betrayed and disappointed. How come they will vote when New Delhi has downgraded the powers of Chief Minister?”, Hakeem Yasin said.
“We want J&K Assembly a powerful institution which should be treated at par”, PDF Chairman said.