Kulgam, Apr 09: Former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday targeted the ruling National Conference (NC), accusing it of rejecting “pro-people and pro-poor” initiatives while failing to address key public concerns.

Addressing a party convention at Mini Stadium in Kulgam, Mehbooba said the NC government had ignored measures aimed at benefiting the poor and marginalised.

“People fear losing land after the abrogation of special status. Tribal people with dhokas in forests also fear demolition. However, they rejected our bill to regularise state land between 5 and 15 marlas in possession of poor residents and instead passed a bill extending leases for hoteliers, which mostly benefits the rich,” she said.

However, Mehbooba said that her party did not oppose benefits for businesses.

“We don’t have any issue if hoteliers get benefited, but you can’t ignore the poor,” she said.

Mehbooba said a proposal to regularise daily wagers was also rejected.

“Our job is to show them the way, but we can’t help if they tread a different path just to appease certain people,” she said.

Mehbooba also accused the NC government of failing to deliver despite a strong mandate.

“You gave them 50 seats so that votes are not divided and it would not help the Bharatiya Janata Party. I also felt relieved, however, despite the mandate, they have completely surrendered,” she said.

Targeting the NC leadership, Mehbooba said, “I formed a government with the BJP  and ensured their hands remained tied. However, Omar Abdullah, despite such a huge mandate, is literally kneeling down. He handed over two more power projects to the Centre. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah, after assuming power in 1996, had surrendered seven power projects immediately.”

Pitching for economic revival, she called for reopening traditional trade routes, recalling steps taken by her father, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, during his tenure from 2002 to 2005.

“It was Mufti Muhammad Sayeed who facilitated cross-border routes such as Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote. He wanted our apples to go across. Today, the NC government should play the same role,” Mehbooba said.

“Our traditional routes-including the Silk Route connecting us with China, Russia, Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries like Iran-should be opened. Kashmir will become a trade hub,” she said, adding that such measures would bring “employment, peace and prosperity.”

Mehbooba emphasised that “dialogue is the only way forward” and urged engagement with neighbouring countries.

“Pakistan and China are our neighbors; sit at the table and resolve issues with them,” she said.

Referring to her tenure, Mehbooba said, her government passed the SRO-505 bill and announced a waiver in power bills before it fell.

“The current government, however, has failed to fulfil promises, including providing 500 units of free electricity and regularising daily wagers,” she said. “Most departments are dependent on daily wagers – whether Health, R&B, PHE, or PDD. The daily wagers in PDD put their lives at stake, and many have died in the line of duty.”

Mehbooba said that proposals to grant division status to Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley, as well as to hill districts in Kashmir, were rejected.

Earlier in her address, she referred to the recent West Asia developments, crediting Iran’s “resilient approach” for paving the way toward a ceasefire while also acknowledging Pakistan’s role.

“The US and Israel forces killed thousands of innocent people in Iran, including school children and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. However, Iran exhibited resilience in front of the US – the most powerful country – and Israel – the most oppressive country in the world,” Mehbooba said.

“It is difficult for many of us to even mention Pakistan, but it played a crucial role in securing a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S.-Israel, helping to prevent large-scale devastation,” she said expressing uncertainty over how long the ceasefire would last.

Regarding the economic implications, Mehbooba said tensions around the Strait of Hormuz had alarmed the world, given that about 30 percent of global trade passes through it.

“It boiled down to livelihood, and when trade stopped, every country pressed for a ceasefire,” she said.

Mehbooba said the “martyrdom” of Khamenei had united Shias and Sunnis “as one Ummah.”

She also welcomed the reopening of Masjid Aqsa.

“Today the Masjid Aqsa in Palestine opened after 40 days and this is a matter of joy, but our Jamia Masjid is closed,” she said.

Senior PDP leaders, including Naeem Akhtar, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Sartaj Madni, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Muhammad Amin Dar, and Iltija Mufti, were present at the event.