'Kashmir solution should be in interest of youth'

Peoples' Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said any durable solution to the Kashmir problem will have to address the "sentiments, dreams and interests" of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The youth in Kashmir have articulated their feelings on the issues facing them during the current unrest, as never before. A new narrative is emerging from Kashmir that has to be configured into any resolution format," Mehbooba told two British diplomats during a meeting in Srinagar. Victoria L Whitford, first secretary (political) in the British High Commission in New Delhi and Sharon McDonald, second political secretary in the United Kingdom mission in Islamabad, arrived in Srinagar on Monday.

Mehbooba said the youths in Kashmir "must get what comes by right to every citizen of the free world. This has been the cornerstone of the policy and political agenda of our party."

The PDP president said Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a unique location as it is connected with important and economically resurgent regions in South Asia, Central Asia and has land access to the rest of the world. "As a result of the dispute, the region became hostage to conflicting interests, which should be addressed to lead our new generations into a world of hope and opportunity," she aded.

Mehbooba said the PDP's proposal for devolution of powers could remove the feeling of discrimination. "The provision for an elected governor on rotational basis between the regions of state can give a new sense of political participation and empowerment to all regions," she said.