Srinagar: National Conference President and former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood remains a core demand and a prerequisite for addressing the region’s developmental challenges.
At the inaugural function of the historical rail link to Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had raked up the issue of restoring statehood, saying it was through Prime Minister Narendra Modi that “J&K’s status will be restored”.
On Monday, Farooq Abdullah reiterated that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood remains a core demand.
Abdullah said the promise of statehood, made by the central government both in Parliament and before the Supreme Court, must be fulfilled in letter and spirit.
“Statehood is our issue, and it will never fade away. We hope that what has been promised will be delivered, Insha’Allah,” Abdullah said while speaking to reporters in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir..
He stressed that without full-fledged statehood, governance remains incomplete, and the administration’s ability to meet the people’s needs is severely restricted.
“How can we fulfill people’s expectations without statehood? We need to repair roads, rebuild schools and hospitals, and revive tourism,” he said.
Abdullah emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager for progress, and their aspirations can only be met through democratic empowerment. “We’ve met the people. They have placed their trust in us. Now it’s time to give them the means to improve their lives,” he added
The former CM called for collective efforts to revive the region’s vital tourism sector.
He acknowledged the sharp decline in tourist footfall following the Pahalgam attack and emphasized the urgent need to eliminate the prevailing sense of fear.
“After the Pahalgam incident, tourism has suffered badly. To counter that, we are making every effort,” he said.
Abdullah said that a special Cabinet meeting was recently held in Pahalgam to assess the situation and reassure the public and potential visitors of their safety.
“I was also there. We were all present to show that we stand with the people and the region,” he added.
In a symbolic move to inspire confidence among travelers, the veteran leader said he would personally visit Pahalgam on Tuesday.
“Not just Pahalgam, even the rush at Mata Vaishno Devi has gone down. People are scared. I am going to help dispel that fear,” he said.
Expressing concern over the severe economic distress faced by Kashmir’s tourism sector following the Pahalgam attack, Abdullah urged the Centre to intervene and provide immediate relief to those dependent on the tourism economy.
The NC chief highlighted the widespread impact on hoteliers, taxi drivers, pony operators, and local tour service providers, many of whom had taken bank loans to support their businesses during the tourism boom.
“People took loans to build hotels, expand rooms, buy horses, taxis—everything was done to welcome tourists,” he said.
Abdullah revealed that he has personally requested the Chief Minister to take up with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister to direct banks to suspend loan recovery proceedings until the tourism sector stabilizes.
“I have appealed to the highest level. These people will repay their loans once tourism revives, but until then, the banks must show mercy,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of protecting the livelihoods of those who form the backbone of Kashmir’s tourism industry. “Our request is simple: let them live with dignity until conditions improve,” he said.
UNI
