Addressing a public meeting in Mahore town of Reasi district on Sunday, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party patron said: "Jammu and Kashmir should become a model among the SAARC countries by allowing both Indian and Pakistani currency to operate in the state." Mufti defended his proposal by quoting the example of European Union, where he said "free travel was possible among 40 countries without any visa restrictions."
Maintaining that it would put up candidates in all six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday ruled out alliance with any party during the upcoming parliamentary polls.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and People's Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has linked the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and reduction in the number of deployed troops to the ongoing peace process.
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and People's Democratic Party leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has demanded that the Centre investigate the role of Lieutenant General (Retired) S K Sinha in the Malegaon blast as during the latter's tenure as the state's governor, religious leader Dayanand Pandey used to visit Kashmir regularly and was treated like a state guest.Sources close to Lt Gen Sinha rejected Mufti's charges as outrageous.
"I am optimistic of some tangible movement forward on these crucial issues in the coming days," Mufti told PDP functionaries in Srinagar.
Claiming that the state has not changed a bit and the arrests and killings continued, the Hurriyat spokesman said a lot of noise has been made about the dialogue process.
BJP has warned the government not to accept unreasonable demands of Mufti as it would endanger the security of the country.
Karra, who became the J&K Congress chief last Friday replacing Vikar Rasool Wani, said a call is already there for all secular parties who are opposed to the "hegemonic attitude" of the BJP to unite.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has directed massive relief and rehab exercise for the effected families and asked his ministerial colleagues Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and Prem Sagar Aziz to visit the area on Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment.
Chief Minister Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed assured the team was free to meet whoever they want as\n\nthe government believed in transparency.
Congress party and National Conference, the erstwhile ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, are likley to "stay away" from tomorrow's swearing-in ceremony.
Mufti has said that the peace process is now a golden chance that should not be squandered.
The Union home ministry has sought a report from Jammu and Kashmir government on circumstances leading to release from jail of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam, who has over 15 cases pending against him.
The BJP members asked the government why it was not coming forward to condemn Geelani's action.
To support the widows and orphaned children of the killed ultras, Jammu and Kashmir Council for Rehabilitation of Militancy Victims on Thursday widened its area of action and included dependants of militants killed over 15 years
Mukherjee has been entrusted with the task of handling the stand off between the two stalwarts before it gets out of hand, according sources close to external affairs minister.
The much-awaited mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir were launched on Wednesday with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee receiving the first call from the state chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Srinagar.
The choice of 'Hari Niwas' conversion into the chief minister's residence came following growing security concerns for the chief minister.
It was an emotional moment for the people of Kashmir when the PM flagged off the bus along with Gandhi.
United Progressive Alliance chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi will join Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 7 in Kashmir when he flags off the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service.
Giving his assessment of the situation in Kashmir, General Singh complimented the army for bringing down the level of violence in the state.
However, not an inch of movement has taken place on the implementation of the 'Agenda of Alliance', the manifesto of the PDP-BJP coalition government. Unless the BJP plays ball, the PDP will be in serious trouble, warns Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the veteran commentator on Kashmir affairs.
The yatra would now be on for 45 days from the existing 30 days.
