Mehbooba calls for dialogue, not military action
Srinagar, May 9 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday made a fervent appeal to the leadership of both India and Pakistan urging them to de-escalate rising tensions through dialogue rather than resorting to military action.
'A lot of blood has been shed. Now it should stop here," Mehbooba said while addressing a press conference. 'Military is no solution. It can address the symptoms, but it does not treat the root of the disease.'
The Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba said that situation between Indian and Pakistan is deteriorating.
She expressed deep concern for the civilians — particularly women, children, and the elderly — who are bearing the brunt of cross-border skirmishes and the worst suffers were the border residents.
'People are being displaced from their homes. Many of our people have been displaced, including children and women,' she said.
In a strong plea to both New Delhi and Islamabad, Mehbboba said, 'There is a need for immediate and urgent restraint to de-escalate the tension.'
She warned that the current escalation risked further civilian casualties, stressing that those suffering on the ground are not responsible for the conflict.
'The innocent civilians who are being killed on both sides… the civilians on our border, in Jammu and Kashmir — they did not start this war. This war is not of their choosing,' PDP chief said.
She appealed to the leadership and people of both nations to show wisdom and compassion, adding, 'The minds of both countries must work seriously toward de-escalating the situation.'
She said India is emerging as a global power and Pakistan is facing serious internal challenges and these realities call for maturity, not military escalation.
'The efforts of both countries should be focused on political intervention,' she stated.
Mehbooba pointed to the post-Pulwama Balakote airstrikes as an example. 'So what happened after that? And now Pahalgam has happened. What changed? What is happening today?' she asked, underlining the futility of repeating past patterns.
In a choked voice, she urged both countries' leaderships to prioritize the lives of innocent people.
'Stop these attacks for God's sake. Our children... it's the age for them to be playing,' she said. 'I saw the photo of that child — he was playing in the same T-shirt,' she added, referring to a heart-wrenching image from Poonch where 16 civilians were killed in cross border shelling on Wednesday.
'As our Prime Minister Modi ji said during the Ukraine crisis, the era of war is truly over, then now is the time for political intervention — to resolve issues through dialogue. ." she said.
Mehbooba urged both Prime Ministers to step back from confrontation and initiate communication.
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