Ceasefire agreement between India, Pakistan welcome step: Dr Farooq Abdullah

Kupwara, May 1: National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah Thursday welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, saying it was a much needed step towards restoring peace and stability in the region.

"Peace is important for development and progress of any region and the recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries is a welcome move. The people living along the borders face the brunt whenever tensions escalate. I hope that the agreement will be permanent one so that the people may not have to undergo hardships," he said.

Dr Abdullah made these remarks in Kralpora area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. He was there to express his condolences over the demise of former Block Development Council (BDC) Chairman Mohammad Akbar Rather, who recently died of sudden cardiac arrest.

NC President remembered Rather as a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for the development of his area and the welfare of its people.

Dr Abdullah was accompanied by senior National Conference leaders, including Dr Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir and Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Trehgam Mir Saifullah. The leaders offered prayers for the departed soul and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

Following the condolence visit, Dr Abdullah met several public delegations and party workers at Dak Bungalow Kupwara. The delegations raised several developmental issues of Kupwara district. He assured that the issues raised by the delegations would be taken up with the local government.