PDP welcomes PM's initiative on Kashmir

The People's Democratic Party, the main Opposition party in J&K, on Tuesday welcomed the fresh initiative unveiled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to address unrest in Kashmir hoping it will be a "critical step" forward to usher in lasting peace in the valley.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, whose party has stayed away from the all- party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir that met the prime minister, said Singh has tried to reach out to the people though she appeared to suggest that his effort has come late.

Mehbooba said the PDP has always maintained that the prime minister has to intervene because he has the credibility in the state, noting he has invested a lot in the peace process.

As far as economic packages are concerned, Mehbooba said they can be only fruitful if you have a peaceful environment.
Mehbooba's father and PDP patrol Mufti Mohd Sayeed described as a "futile exercise" the meeting the PM had with the delegation alleging "nothing will come out of it".

He said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had convened a meeting of all political parties a month ago and decided to send a delegation to meet the Prime Minister.

However, all the parties had already met Singh separately before today's meeting, Sayeed added.