Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has criticized the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) government for failing to deliver on its pre-poll promises, expressing concern over what she described as a growing atmosphere of distress in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where even religious spaces are facing increasing restrictions.

According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing a workers’ convention in Baramulla, Mehbooba Mufti said that NC had promised to provide one lakh jobs to the youth of IIOJK, but nearly two years after coming to power, unemployment has left young people grappling with depression and uncertainty.She said she had personally interacted with people across Kashmir and found widespread stress and anxiety among the masses over unmet expectations. 

“People are distressed. Even in mosques, prayer leaders are being forced to vet sermons before delivering them,” she said. She also noted that Mohalla Committees were unable to carry out rehabilitation and social programmes due to alleged harassment by agencies, adding that such developments reflected an increasingly restrictive environment.

Mehbooba further said that instead of delivering jobs, the National Conference’s promises have turned out to be false, and the gap between claims and ground reality is now clearly visible.She added that people had hoped for protection of land rights, guidance on mosque-related affairs, and resolution of long-pending issues such as electricity shortages, but these concerns remain largely unaddressed.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)