PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today made her maiden appearance at a public function since the death of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed by attending the Republic Day parade here.
Mehbooba, who wore black shades and her trademark long gown, attended the parade at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium where Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asghar Samoon presided over the function and unfurled the national tricolor.
This was the first public appearance of the PDP president at an official function since Sayeed's death on January 7, this year.
Mehbooba has been confined to her Gupkar residence since January 7, following which she left the house only twice -- on January 10 and January 15 -- to offer prayers at the grave of her father.
National Conference working president Omar Abdullah, PDP MLC Naeem Akhtar and PDP MLAs Asiea Naqash and Anjum Fazili, a close friend of Mehbooba, were other politicians present at the function.
Regarding declaration of Mughal Road as National Highway and construction of tunnel on it, the spokesman said the meeting was informed that the matter is being vigorously pursued with Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Stressing the need for improving and upgrading the road connectivity in the Pir Panchal region, Mehbooba issued instructions for expediting work on important roads including Budhal-Shopian road.
Mehbooba also called upon Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to improve the critical stretches on the Mughal Road and various other roads that are maintained by the organisation, the spokesman said.
He said the meeting was informed that 246 km Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road has been declared as new National Highway by centre and Jammu to Akhnoor (35 kms) has been entrusted to National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) and will be upgraded to four-lane.
Various projects under PMGSY, CRF and construction of major bridges in the region were also reviewed in the meeting, the spokesman said, adding black-topping of around 250 kms has already been done in the two districts.
