In Pampore convention, Apni Party chief cautions against trusting ‘those who deceived people’ for past seven decades
Pampore: Jammu Kashmir Apni Party President, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, delivered an impassioned address at a public convention held in the Lalpora Chaltam area of Pampore, located in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district this past Sunday. The event, held under the efficient leadership of BDC Chairman Pampore, Mir Altaf Ahmed, saw a spirited gathering of party members and supporters.
Prominent Apni Party leaders present at the convention included Vice President Mohammad Rafi Mir, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Party Leader Umar Jan, Ghulam Mohammad Mir, Mir Altaf Ahmad, Youth Secretary Manzoor Ahmad Ganie, and various other DDC members and Sarpanches.
During his address, Altaf Bukhari expressed deep concern regarding the exploitation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the name of Article 370 and 35A special status. He stressed the challenging task of regaining what has been lost, cautioning against placing trust in those who have deceived the region’s residents for the past seven decades while benefiting at the expense of the people’s trust.
Bukhari also acknowledged the demand for a playground in the Lalpora Chatlam and Konibal areas, highlighting the absence of such facilities. He pledged to advocate for the establishment of a playground for the local children, despite not having the power of government behind him.
Addressing the unique political landscape of the Pampore Constituency, he noted the dominance of a single party for the past two decades. While recognizing the support of the local populace for this party, Bukhari pointed out that governance under this party’s rule had been problematic for the entire Jammu and Kashmir region.
In discussions with the media, Altaf Bukhari emphasized the significant challenge of providing employment opportunities for the youth in a region where government jobs are insufficient to meet the demand. He underlined the importance of finding ways for the youth to earn a livelihood and create employment opportunities for themselves and others. Drawing from his entrepreneurial background, he highlighted the potential for individuals to start businesses and generate income, even when coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Regarding the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Bukhari recalled the alliance’s promise to protect Article 370 and 35A. He raised questions about the current divisions within the PAGD, contrasting the unity that led to their electoral success. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the face of these divisions.
He also challenged the political leaders who had previously joined forces and contested elections together but were now at odds. He encouraged people to question their motives and actions, especially in the context of their long-standing promises of autonomy and self-rule.
Altaf Bukhari concluded by emphasizing the importance of providing a shorter, more focused format for cricket and suggested reforms to the ODI format. These changes include reducing the number of overs per innings, fixing the size of boundaries, scrapping power plays and fielding restrictions, and maintaining an over rate of 13 per hour to ensure the completion of matches within five hours. These reforms aim to make the format more appealing and suitable for modern audiences while preserving the traditional essence of the game.