PDF can’t remain away from Gukpar Declaration: Hakeem

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yasin on Wednesday said the party will keep itself away from contesting polls till special status of Jammu and Kashmir is not restored in a dignified manner.
In an interview with a local news gathering agency , 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 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 special status of J&K will get our party’s support wholeheartedly?”, he said and adding PDF can’t remain away from Gupkar Declaration but some issues needs clarification at this juncture.
He said those conflicting with Gupkar Declaration are not the well-wishers of people of Jammu and Kashmir. He also said recently when joint statement of Gupkar Declaration came to fore, though I was also invited in the meet but was not allowed to step outside my 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.
He said “I feel honored to be a part of movement constituted for restoration of 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 why Pakistan extended its support to Gupkar Declaration, PDF Chairman said that 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 alternate 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 current political situation in J&K, Hakeem Yasin said that Governor rule is not any way alternate of elected Government. He said people on 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 into political process when New Delhi degraded powers of 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.