Be part of change, shape future of J&K: Altaf Bukhari to youth

Srinagar, Sep 16: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today appealed the youth to be part of change and also urged them to shape the future of Jammu and Kashmir.

He was talking to media persons during his public outreach campaign in Barzala area Chanapora assembly constituency.

Bukhari also called on his party cadre and supporters in the Beerwah assembly constituency to back Sarjan Barkati, who is contesting assembly polls from there. Barkati, who is currently in jail, is also a candidate in the Gandrebal constituency.

Bukhari said, “Since Apni Party is not contesting in the Beerwah constituency, I urge my party cadre and supporters there to support Sarjan Barkati in the upcoming elections in this constituency.”

Responding to a question about the rising unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir, the Apni Party President said that the fact is that unemployment is the biggest challenge that people, especially youth, are grappling with in J&K. “The governments have so far failed to create sufficient employment opportunities here. That is why I urge the youth to become part of the change. Young people need to be involved in the power structure so that they can help shape the future of the younger generation in J&K,” he said.

On pending SRO cases, he said if Apni Party receives the public mandate to serve, it will ensure that all pending compassionate appointment cases under SRO-43 are resolved once and for all. “This will not be a favor to the beneficiaries; rather, it is their right, which has unfortunately been denied so far. Appointments should normally be made within three months. According to the law (under SRO-43), the kin of those killed in militancy-related incidents and government employees who died while in service are eligible for jobs in government departments. We will ensure that these job aspirants receive their due rights,” Bukhari said.

It is pertinent to note that SRO-43 was replaced by a new compassionate appointment policy, which took effect on January 1, 2023. However, there are still a number of cases pending under the previous law that have been unresolved for years, the press release said.