Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Thursday strongly urged the Centre to initiate confidence-building measures (CBMs), including a meaningful dialogue process with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth, to bridge the ”prevailing trust deficit”.
Bukhari said the time was ripe for New Delhi to translate its assurances into action by engaging directly with the people.
“We are not asking for anything new. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have already promised dialogue with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the right time to begin a sincere and meaningful engagement to address the pressing issues faced by the people,” he told reporters in Srinagar.
Emphasizing the importance of outreach, he noted that the people of J&K have chosen the path of peace and normalcy and now expect a constructive response from the Centre. “A sustained dialogue, especially with the youth, is essential to rebuild trust and ensure lasting stability in the region,” Bukhari added.
The Apni Party president also reiterated his party’s demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without further delay, calling it a crucial step toward political empowerment and democratic stability.
On the issue of detentions, Bukhari called for the release of detainees and urged authorities to adopt a more humane approach. Referring to recent developments, he said the bail granted to Shabir Ahmad Shah by the Supreme Court offered a ray of hope, and similar relief should be extended to others who have been under prolonged detention.
He further called for easing police verification procedures for job seekers and passport applicants, stating that such measures would help reduce public distress and restore confidence in the system.
Earlier, Bukhari welcomed political activist Jibran Dar and his supporters into the Apni Party, expressing confidence that their inclusion would strengthen the party at the grassroots level in Srinagar’s Chanapora constituency.
