Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan that has been put in abeyance by the Centre in the wake of the Pahalgam attack was the “most unfair document” to the people of the Union territory and they have never been in favour of it.
“Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty,” Abdullah told reporters here after a meeting with various tourism, trade and industry bodies.
In the aftermath of the attack in which 26 people were killed, India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post.
Asked about the Centre’s decision on IWT, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir has always believed that the IWT has been the “most unfair document to its people”.
“Now what the medium to long-term implications to this are, that is something we have to wait to see,” he added.
To a question whether the government would reward the bravery of ‘ponywallah’ Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who stood up against the armed terrorists before being killed, Abdullah said “absolutely”.
“He (Shah) is a symbol not just of Kashmiriyat but of Kashmiri hospitality and it is our responsibility not just to reward him and his family, but to keep that memory alive for times immemorial,” he said.
The chief minister said the government will find a suitable mechanism to do that.
He also announced that Maharashtra tour and travel operators have decided to adopt Shah’s family to take care of all their education needs from now until they complete their education and also to help the family in the days and years ahead.
Abdullah said Friday’s meeting condemned the killings and unitedly raised voice against such attacks.
“I thank all the participants in the meeting. They clearly said the attack was not done in our name and that they were not in favour of it nor will be in future. We regret that it happened. Some suggestions have been kept before the government so that such things do not happen in the future. I have assured them that all the suggestions will be implemented,” he said.
Asked if there was any discussion on the business losses for the tourism industry, the chief minister said “at this point in time, we are not counting rupees and paise”.
“I think credit to all the participants and stakeholders in this meeting that not one of them lamented the loss of business. Not one of them said what will happen to me as my rooms are empty, or houseboats are empty or taxis are empty.
“They all said business comes and goes, at this point in time that is not our concern. Our concern is to express solidarity and sympathy with the families of those 26 people who were killed in this attack,” he said.
There may be a time in the future, Abdullah said, when we will sit down and discuss the financial implications of what is happening to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy.
“But, not one of the participants used this meeting today to either talk about the business losses that they are suffering or ask for any sort of compensation from the government. I think that is a credit to our business organisations,” he added.
On the condemnations of the attack in mosques around the valley, Abdullah said it was an answer to all those spreading venom and hatred against the people of Kashmir.
“The two-minute silence observed in Jama Masjid is an answer to all those channels who are trying to spread venom against Kashmiris. But, unfortunately, these shameless channels will not show that because their channels cannot run by showing such things,” he said.
“These channels run by spreading hatred. I wish these channels had courage. I am sorry for saying this, but anchors of some of these channels are cowards, they do not support the truth.
“Had they supported the truth, then they would have told the world that a two-minute silence was observed at the historic Jama Masjid in Kashmir to express solidarity with the 26 victims of Pahalgam,” Abdullah added.
Before the start of the Friday congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid here, Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the people present in the mosque observed a minute’s silence to show solidarity with the affected families.
About the reports of harassment of Kashmiris outside Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said he has raised the issue with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“I talked to the home minister during this meeting only. He has assured me that all steps needed to be taken for the safety and security of the students or traders or others will be taken.
“An advisory will be issued from the home ministry and the home minister himself has talked to some chief ministers in this regard. I have also talked to my counterparts and concrete steps are being taken at such places,” he said.
Abdullah said his ministerial colleagues will go to those states and liaise with the governments there to take whatever steps are needed. (With additional inputs from PTI)
CM Abdullah holds interaction with tourism, business stakeholders in Kashmir
In the aftermath of the recent terror attack on civilians at Baisaran, Pahalgam, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday convened a detailed interaction with business stakeholders from Kashmir’s tourism, travel, and trade sectors at SKICC, Srinagar.
The meeting commenced with a minute of silence in memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.
The interaction was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretaries of Industries & Commerce and Tourism, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, senior police officials, and other concerned officers.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “We collectively condemn the Pahalgam terror incident, mourn the loss of 26 innocent lives, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”
He noted the pain of meeting the victims’ families—many of whom were visiting Kashmir on their honeymoon or family vacation. “As the Tourism Minister myself, I found it extremely difficult to meet their families. I was at a loss for words,” he added.
Highlighting the collective outrage and unity across the Valley in the wake of the attack, Omar Abdullah said this unified response sends a powerful, silent message to those who seek to sow fear and division.
He commended the business community for taking a principled stand, saying, “You’ve clearly said this act was not in our name—neither have we ever supported such violence, nor will we ever in the future.”
The Chief Minister assured that all constructive suggestions offered during the meeting would be seriously considered to help prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Addressing concerns regarding harassment faced by Kashmiri students and traders outside Kashmir, he informed the gathering that he had spoken directly with the union Home minister, who assured him of necessary protective measures. An advisory will be issued in this regard, and the Home Minister has also personally reached out to several state Chief Ministers. Omar Abdullah said that he too has spoken to his counterparts in other states to ensure the safety of Kashmiris across India.
He lauded the tourism and business stakeholders for not focusing on financial losses or seeking compensation, saying, “Business will come and go. Right now, our primary concern is to express our grief and stand in solidarity with those affected by this senseless attack.”
He added that discussions on economic impact can take place later, once the immediate pain of the tragedy has been addressed.
Referring to the two-minute silence observed at Jamia Masjid Srinagar earlier today, the Chief Minister called it “a strong and dignified response” to the propaganda peddled by some news channels against Kashmiris.
He paid special tribute to Syed Adil Hussain, a local who lost his life while trying to save tourists during the attack, calling him a “symbol of Kashmiri hospitality.” Omar Abdullah assured that his government would take steps to honour his memory and support his family.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said, “This incident has shaken us to the core.” He appreciated the people of Kashmir for rising in protest against the attack and sending a clear message across the country and the world that “this act has no place in our society or our religion.”
Earlier, stakeholders from the tourism sector unanimously condemned the attack, calling it a “murder of humanity.” They emphasized that the Valley is in deep mourning and that commercial concerns are secondary at this time.
They proposed several measures, including: formation of a coordination committee comprising administration, security agencies, and tourism stakeholders; protection and welfare of Kashmiri students and businesspersons outside Kashmir.
Besides, they suggested the Establishment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at key tourist destinations and countering misinformation and biased media narratives.
The Chairman of Raja & Rani Tour and Travels informed the gathering that the Maharashtra Tour and Travel Operators’ Association has pledged to adopt Syed Adil Hussain’s family.
The association will support the educational needs of his children and provide long-term assistance to his family.
Furthermore, the association has decided that no tour bookings to Kashmir will be cancelled, in a strong show of support and solidarity.
