Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Peoples Democratic Party leader and legislator Waheed ur Rehman Para on Wednesday said the National Conference-led government has the power to drop cases against young people who are imprisoned or facing legal hurdles, but suggested it lacks the political will to do so.
Para made the remarks in a brief interaction with the media on the sidelines of a party programme at the PDP office in Pulwama. He pointed to the amnesty granted by the earlier PDP-led government, under which thousands of FIRs against youth were withdrawn, and said it stands as a precedent that contrasts sharply with the present government’s inaction. He emphasised that the problems faced by youth, including pending FIRs and blocked passport verifications, are political in nature and need strong political intervention rather than a purely judicial approach.
The PDP legislator also accused the government of failing to deliver on key election promises. Almost two years into its rule, he said, there has been little progress. He singled out the promise of one lakh jobs for youth, which he said remains unfulfilled, and criticised the flat Rs 3,000 electricity rate, which he described as an undue burden on ordinary households.
Turning to the Centre, Para accused the BJP-led government of using divisive tactics to divert public attention from alleged electoral irregularities, such as mass vote deletions.
Responding to a question, he acknowledged the serious infrastructure challenges facing the area, particularly in water supply and roads, and said an Rs 18 crore water project has been approved to address chronic shortages in Pulwama town. He also reiterated his strong opposition to the continued closure of civilian traffic on the National Highway. Such closures, he said, often halt local transport and amount to a form of discrimination that makes Kashmiris feel alienated. He pledged to take the matter to the streets if the administration fails to address it.
The gathering at the Pulwama office is being seen as a preparatory meeting of local party leaders and workers, ahead of the PDP’s planned “Srinagar Chalo” event and foundation day commemoration scheduled for November 2, 2026.
The statements reflect the PDP’s effort to sharpen its political message as it prepares for that event. Questions of youth cases, jobs, power tariffs and highway restrictions touch daily life in the Valley, and the party appears keen to place them at the centre of public debate. The government’s response to these charges will be watched closely in the coming days.
