Development, youth empowerment our priorities: Azad

Ganderbal, May 11: Chairman Democratic Progress Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday reiterated that the development and empowerment of the youth have always been his priorities.

He was addressing the party workers during a road show in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district in support of their party candidate for Srinagar parliamentary seat Muhammad Amir Bhat. Srinagar parliamentary constituency is going to polls on May 13.

Azad said that youth is their priority as the large population of youth are unemployed and suffering badly.

He expressed his deep concerns over the soaring use of drugs by youth in Jammu and Kashmir. “If our party is given a chance, the youth will be our first priority since it is the future of the nation. It is disturbing for us all that a huge number of our youth are diverted to drugs and other anti-social activities,” Azad said.

He added that dwindling economic conditions, lack of job opportunities has pushed the youth to this menace. “We have been reading news almost on a daily basis now regarding the youths involved in drugs. This should serve as an alarm for all of us and we cannot afford to lose our future assets,” he said.

Azad stated that as chief minister he did lot of work for the development of the area. He stated that DPAP is the party of youths and it encourages young minds and appreciate their contribution for the betterment of society. “Politics is a noble cause if done properly. It gives immense chances to serve the people, so we encourage the youth in party and ensure they grow on merit not on nepotism,” he said.

DPAP Chairman said that his party is giving opportunities to young people even in parliament polls. “We have fielded Advocate Saleem Parray from Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat and Amir Bhat from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency besides young people like Qaisar Sultan who is district president Ganderbal is working for people, “Azad said. He said DPAP will work in multiple dimensions and ensure the youth of Jammu Kashmir have abundant opportunities to grab and grow, if elected to power. Azad reiterated his unwavering commitment to development as the cornerstone of his political agenda.

“In my 50 years of politics, no one can question my integrity. I have never taken a single penny from anyone for doing their wor,” the former chief minister said.

Azad outlined his vision to empower the youth and catalyze the development of Jammu and Kashmir through tangible initiatives. DPAP chief spokesperson Salman Nizami and DPAP district president Ganderbal Qaisar Sultan also addressed the gathering.