Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday called for the release of detainees ahead of Eid as a confidence-building measure and outlined a broader peace roadmap centered on dialogue, trade and regional engagement.
Addressing a gathering at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar, Mufti appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate reconciliation by releasing prisoners, saying such a step would reduce the atmosphere of fear among Kashmir's youth. "The youth deserve dignity and hope. Hate must end," she said.
The former Chief Minister said her political vision was not linked to any anti-India agenda or demand for a referendum, but focused on people-to-people contact, economic connectivity and opening routes of trade and travel with neighbouring regions and countries. She also said Pakistan must respond positively to India's outreach, noting that past initiatives for dialogue had not received an appropriate response from the other side.
"Development is good, but talks can make you a statesman for peace in the region and South Asia," she said.
