Kulgam: Thousands of people gathered in Kulgam on Wednesday to welcome former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during her visit to the district, with the large turnout being seen as a show of support for the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party.
Addressing the gathering, Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, describing it as a positive step towards peace and stability. She said war has never been a solution and stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue and engagement.
Speaking to party workers, she urged them to remain united and steadfast in the face of ongoing challenges. She asked workers to strengthen their grassroots presence and stay connected with the people to address their concerns while remaining committed to the party’s ideology.
Recalling the vision of late PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, she reiterated his oft-quoted principle: “Na goli se, na grenade se, baat banegi boli se,” asserting that dialogue remains the only viable path to peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme also witnessed several political entrants into the PDP. Social activist Zulfikar Razatullah from Devsar, along with his supporters, joined the party. Advocate Aijaz Ah Shan of Kulgam and former Sarpanch Gulshana Parveen of Noorabad also joined the PDP along with dozens of others, expressing faith in the party’s leadership and vision.
Among those present at the gathering were PDP vice president Mohammad Sartaj Madni, general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, former ministers Abdul Rehman Veeri and Nayeem Akhtar, district president Wani Zafrullah, Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Mohammad Amin and other senior party leaders.
In her address, Mehbooba Mufti said there was a need for collective efforts to promote peace, unity and development, adding that the PDP has consistently stood for these principles. She called upon party workers to spread the message of harmony, brotherhood and progress across the region.
She concluded by thanking the people and party workers of Kulgam for their overwhelming support and commitment, saying it would strengthen the party in the days ahead.
