SRINAGAR: Ruling National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said he is hopeful the Centre will respect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and restore its statehood.

The three-time former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was in Pahalgam as a guest of honour at a golf tournament in which around 50 golfers from across the country are participating.

Asked if he was hopeful of restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, Abdullah told PTI Videos, “God willing, that will also happen one day. We are hopeful that Delhi will pay attention to it. The prime minister will see to it that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want statehood to be restored”.