Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir needs a politics based on realistic commitments and practical solutions, asserting that people have grown tired of unfulfilled promises and political rhetoric.
He was addressing a gathering at the party headquarters in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, where a group of political activists, social workers and former Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members from the Chenab Valley joined the Apni Party.
Among those who joined the party were Pawan Kumar, Rabina Kausar, Dr Shaukat Ali Khan, Tariq Hussain Zargar, Ghulam Hassan Butt, Shariq Amin Rishu, Jaffer Ahmed Butt, Liyakat Ali, Mohammad Farooq Malik, Shanti Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Hassan Din and Atish Ayaz Qurashee. Prof Vijay Anand of Roop Nagar and former National Conference leader Rajeev Singh from Kathua also joined the party.
Welcoming the new entrants, Bukhari said the participation of people from different regions and backgrounds reflected growing interest in politics centred on public issues rather than slogans.
He said Jammu and Kashmir was passing through an important phase and political parties must demonstrate their ability to translate commitments into tangible results. Reiterating his stand that political leaders should make only those promises that are achievable, Bukhari said people today are more aware of the difference between electoral assurances and effective governance.
The Apni Party chief identified unemployment as one of the biggest challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the need for greater focus on recruitment, entrepreneurship, private investment and strengthening sectors such as tourism, agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts and small businesses.
He also called for improvements in healthcare, education, roads, electricity, drinking water and other essential public services across urban and rural areas.
Referring to broader political issues, Bukhari reiterated his party’s demand for restoration of full statehood and constitutional safeguards relating to land, jobs and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said these issues require concrete action rather than prolonged assurances.
Bukhari further advocated greater participation of local residents in major infrastructure and development projects being implemented in the Chenab Valley. He said projects in districts such as Doda and Kishtwar should generate employment, business opportunities and economic benefits for local communities.
He urged the creation of a transparent mechanism to ensure that local youth, contractors, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are able to benefit from such projects.
Speaking on the occasion, Apni Party Jammu provincial president Manjit Singh said the induction of leaders and social workers from the Chenab Valley would strengthen the party’s grassroots presence and help raise regional concerns more effectively.
He said the party would continue to focus on issues relating to employment, development, healthcare, roads, electricity, farmers, traders and other sections of society.
Several senior party leaders and workers were present during the joining programme.