PDP backs Farooq's appeal for dialogue with Pak

Beleaguered PDP on Saturday welcomed opponent National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s statement in Parliament on Kashmir saying the Centre should respond to the consensus among political groups in the state at the earliest.

Speaking during the vote of no-confidence on Friday, Abdullah in his maiden speech in the 16th Lok Sabha raised the issue of peace in Kashmir and made an emotional appeal to the government to start a dialogue with Pakistan.

Centre must act

“Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) welcomes Abdullah’s change of heart and the party hopes that it is not a mere poll gimmick by the NC president. We hope Abdullah sticks to it and contributes to the resolution of the Kashmir issue in a positive manner,” senior PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar said in a statement here.

“While Abdullah is known for making U-turns, changing statements and stands quite often, we are hopeful that what he said in Parliament this time for the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue would remain unchanged,” he said and asserted that the central government should respond to the consensus at the earliest as creating political vacuum will not help in any way.