Srinagar, March 14: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said Iran shares an “emotional and religious bond” with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Centre to review its policy towards the country.
Addressing a party meeting here, the former chief minister as per Kashmir Convener appealed to Muslim countries to help Iran, asserting that the relationship with the Persian nation was centuries old.
“Iran has a special place in our hearts. Our Islam came from Iran. We have an emotional relationship with them,” Mehbooba said.
She commended the people of Kashmir for staging peaceful protests in solidarity with Iran and saluted the bravery of the Iranian people against “evil forces.”
The PDP chief requested assistance for the people of Iran while simultaneously seeking the release of Kashmiri youth lodged in various jails.
“We still have hundreds of young people in jails. I request the Governor to release them as soon as possible,” she said.
Mehbooba also welcomed the recent release of veteran separatist leader Shabir Shah, who was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), but stressed that hundreds of others remain behind bars.
Linking the international crisis to the local situation, the PDP president warned that the conflict in West Asia would have direct economic repercussions on the already struggling populace of Kashmir.
“The war will have an economic impact. Petrol prices will increase and things will become more expensive. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have already lost their backbone due to the situation here,” she added.
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