Mehbooba Mufti

Mehbooba Mufti slams BJP govt for 'embracing' Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday targeted the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying embracing Taliban-ruled Afghanistan while "targeting" Muslims of India is a stark reminder of the "internal hypocrisy" of the party. Her remarks came at a time when India has decided to upgrade its ties with Afghanistan and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is visiting India. "In the name of 'Love Jihad,' 'Land Jihad,' 'Vote Jihad' and 'Cow Jihad, the BJP has repeatedly targeted its own Muslim population propagating narratives that demonize them. At the same time India the mother of democracy under BJP has decided to embrace Taliban the harbinger of jihad," she charged in a post on X. She said India has chosen to extend all kinds of aid to rebuild Afghanistan, including offering educational scholarships, to Afghan students. "While fostering good relations with Afghanistan may be strategically important it raises a glaring contradiction - India's own Muslim population who have contribute

Reconciliation only solution to India-Pak tensions: Mehbooba Mufti

Mufti alleged that the internal situation in the region has deteriorated rather than improved, pointing to ongoing security crackdowns

Mehbooba Mufti urges Rahul Gandhi to raise Muslim issues in Parliament

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to raise the issue of alleged Muslim victimisation across the country in the Monsoon session of Parliament, which started on Monday. In a post on X, she alleged that Muslims are being pushed into increasingly desperate situations under the pretext of targeting "Bangladeshis" and "Rohingyas". Disturbing media reports have even suggested that some were forced into the sea in attempts to expel them from India, she added. "Deeply disturbed by the ongoing victimization, dispossession and disempowerment of Muslims on a daily basis - I have written to Rahul Gandhi ji urging him to raise this critical issue in the upcoming Parliament session," Mufti said in the post on X. She said in an environment "increasingly marked by hate and fear", many have "lost hope and feel utterly helpless". "At this moment he stands as a rare source of hope for those who feel

Israel-Iran war has given Tehran leadership role of Muslim world: Mehbooba

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the conflict between Israel and Iran has elevated Tehran's status to a leadership role for the Muslim world as it forced Washington and Jerusalem on their knees. "I salute the courage and determination of the Iranian leadership, its armed forces and people for fighting this war. They did not have nuclear weapons, the only weapon they had is the belief and the desire for martyrdom," the former chief minister told PTI. "This forced the United States and its lapdog state, Israel, on their knees. Today (US President Donald) Trump is talking about ceasefire. It means that outcome of the war so far has been totally opposite to the expectation of the US and Israel," she said. Mufti said the war has propelled Iran to the leadership role of the Muslim world. "This war has given Iran the leadership role of the Muslim world, although the other Muslim countries did nothing more than lip service. America was in the habit of

Attack on Iran 'brazen act' by state that appears to be rogue: Mehbooba

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday called Israel's attack on Iran a "brazen act" by a state that appears to have gone "rogue". "Israel's attack on Iran is yet another brazen act by a state that appears to have gone rogue. The silence of the global community, particularly the Western powers led by the United States is both alarming and telling. This silence amounts to tacit approval," Mufti said in a post on X. Israel attacked Iran capital Tehran early Friday in strikes that targeted the country's nuclear programme and raised the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq. Mufti said in the case of India-Pakistan tensions, the US never fails to assert that its intervention has been crucial in preventing an escalation, "yet when it comes to Israel's relentless bombardment of Gaza or its latest strike on Iran, that same urgency is conspicuously missing". "T

Mehbooba asks J-K CM to employ youths, not ex-servicemen in guard duties

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to reconsider its decision to engage 4,000 ex-servicemen, instead of fresh recruits, for static guard duties at vital installations. In a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, she said this is in view of the rising unemployment in the Union Territory. "I am writing to express my deep misgivings and concern regarding your government's recent decision on deploying 4,000 ex-servicemen to guard critical infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. While we value the service and discipline of our veterans, this move raises serious questions, especially because it comes at a time when lakhs of educated yet unemployed youth are struggling to find opportunities in J-K," Mufti said in the letter. "Static guard duties do not require military expertise and could very well be performed by trained local youth, for whom such employment could be a vital lifeline," the letter added. The former J-K chie

Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti clash over Tulbul project amid Indo-Pak row

J&K CM Omar Abdullah and ex-CM Mehbooba Mufti trade sharp barbs online over Tulbul project revival amid rising Indo-Pak tensions and suspension of Indus Waters Treaty

Omar, Mehbooba lock horns on social media over Tulbul barrage project

In a post on X on Thursday, Abdullah had posed the question if work could resume on the Tulbul Navigation Barrage project in view of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

As India-Pak agree on stoppage of firing, leaders hope for lasting peace

Indian leaders, including Kapil Sibal, Mehbooba Mufti, and Omar Abdullah, react to the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement, calling for peace, relief, and political discussions on the way forward

India should take 1st step to de-escalate tensions with Pakistan: Mehbooba

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said India should embrace its leadership role in the subcontinent and take the first step to de-escalate tensions with Pakistan, as it is a moment for the country to stand tall and demonstrate that its true strength lies in its soft power and commitment to peace. Mufti's remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Pakistani Army chief Asif Munir, and urged both parties to find ways to de-escalate. "Even though US Vice-President J D Vance initially said that America wouldn't intervene beyond a certain point in the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, in light of the worrying intensity of the situation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has now reached out to the Pakistani Army chief, urging de-escalation," Mufti said in a post on X. Rather than relying on "inconsistent" international support, India should take the first step to de-escalate, she said. India as the world's largest democracy and now as an emerging power/

Kulgam man linked to Pahalgam attack drowns while fleeing security forces

Imtiaz Ahmad Magray from south Kashmir's Kulgam was interrogated by police on Saturday in relation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack

Mehbooba lauds navy officer's wife for peace appeal, slams Farooq Abdullah

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday lauded Pahalgam terror attack victim Lt Vinay Narwal's widow Himanshi for her appeal for communal harmony, saying the country should draw inspiration from her. Mentioning Himanshi Narwal's "don't want people going after Muslims and Kashmiris" comment, Mehbooba sought to corner National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah for his remarks to a section of media that attacks like the one in Pahalgam on April 22 cannot happen without support. In a media interview, the NC chief had said, "I do not think these things can happen unless someone helped them. They came from there. How did they come?" The PDP president said Abdullah's remarks were not only "misleading" but also "fatal", especially at a time when students and traders from Jammu and Kashmir were highly vulnerable and prone to attacks after the Pahalgam incident that left the nation grieving and outraged. "Farooq Sahab's statement implicating Kashmiris in the Pahalgam terror attack is deeply ...

Mehbooba urges Amit Shah to safeguard Kashmiris living outside J-K

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure safety of Kashmiris residing in other parts of the country in view of threats issued by right wing elements following the Pahalgam terror attack. In a post on X, the former chief minister said she spoke with Shah to offer condolences over the Pahalgam killings. "Spoke with Home Minister @AmitShahji to extend my deepest condolences & also express solidarity with bereaved families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We stand with the nation in this hour of mourning. Also requested him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students & traders across various states. Urged him to intervene without delay to ensure their safety & protection wherever such incidents are being reported," she said. The Hindu Raksha Dal has reportedly threatened Kashmiri Muslims working or studying in Dehradun to leave the place within one day or face action. People's Conference ...

Mehbooba backs Rahul Gandhi on EC, flags attack on democratic institutions

Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday expressed concern over the alleged erosion of democratic institutions in the country and backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks against the Election Commission of India. Mufti also welcomed the registration of an FIR against Army personnel accused of assaulting a professor in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. "It is true that our institutions are being compromised. What Rahul Gandhi said that there was a huge increase in the number of voters between the parliamentary elections and Maharashtra assembly polls needs to be investigated," Mufti told reporters here. She added that even the Supreme Court was not being spared, citing recent backlash from the BJP against the top court's verdicts related to governors and Waqf. "The Supreme Court gave verdicts regarding the governors and Waqf, and the entire BJP attacked it. Even institutions like the Supreme Court are being undermined. The Election Commission consists

Mehbooba Mufti thanks CMs of Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka for Waqf stance

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday expressed gratitude to the chief ministers of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for their "courageous and principled stand" against the Waqf Amendment Act. Mufti, a former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, wrote identical letters to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin and Karnataka's Siddaramaiah. In a post on microblogging site X, Mufti said, "I have written to @MamataOfficial ji, @mkstalin ji & @siddaramaiah ji expressing heartfelt gratitude for their courageous & principled stand against the Waqf Amendment Bill. In today's India where dissent of any kind is increasingly criminalised their unequivocal voices come as a breath of fresh air." "As residents of Jammu and Kashmir -- the only Muslim-majority region in the country -- we find solace and inspiration in your unwavering stance in these dark and challenging times," Mufti wrote. She also posted

Mehbooba urges NC alliance to pass resolution rejecting Waqf amendments

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged the Jammu and Kashmir assembly to pass a resolution, rejecting the amendments to the Waqf Act passed by Parliament. Wednesday is the last day of the Budget session of the assembly. "With today possibly marking the end of this assembly session the ruling alliance should prioritise passing a resolution to reject this bill rather than prolonging the political spectacle," the former chief minister said in a post on X. The PDP president also referred to the chance meeting between Chief minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the Tulip Garden here recently, saying the meeting seemed to be a signal to 24 crore Muslims of the country. The ruling National Conference has already rubbished the charges, saying the opposition was "fishing in the desert". "After bulldozing the Waqf Amendment Bill through Parliament, Minister Kiren Rijiju strategically chose to visit Kashmir. He was given red carpet welcome by the Chief Minister o

Waqf Act sparks uproar in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly; PDP MLA escorted out

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly sees second day of chaos as the Opposition protests Waqf (Amendment) Act; PDP's Waheed Para escorted out, Mehbooba, Sajad Lone demand action against Speaker

Mehbooba slams Assembly speaker for imposing a form of 'martial law'

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said the role of the assembly speaker is to safeguard the rights of members of the legislature and not to act as a censor. Her remarks came after Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather took a serious note of publicity of the House business notices ahead of the Budget session. The Speaker has asked the members to desist from the breach of privilege. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister accused Rather of imposing a form of "martial law" while occupying a constitutional position. "While Rathar Sahab may be concerned with preserving the sanctity of legislative proceedings, as Speaker, his primary role is to safeguard the rights of members, not to act as a censor," she said in a post on X. She said transparency and public awareness of legislative activities should not be seen as an infringement on parliamentary practices. "On the contrary, informing the public about notices, questions, and resolutions in advance promotes ...

PDP's Iltija Mufti claims she, mother Mehbooba placed under house arrest

PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Saturday claimed that she and her mother, party chief Mehbooba Mufti, had been placed under house arrest. In a social media post, Iltija Mufti said she had intended to visit Kathua while People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti planned to visit Sopore to meet the bereaved family of the truck driver killed in army firing on Wednesday. "My mother and I both have been placed under house arrest. Our gates have been locked up because she was meant to visit Sopore where Waseem Mir was shot dead by the army," Iltija Mufti said in a post on X. "I intended to visit Kathua to meet Makhan Din's family and (I) am not being allowed to even move out. Nothing has changed in Kashmir even after elections. Now even comforting the families of victims is being criminalised," she added.

Real challenge in J&K is to manage complex web of public expectations: PDP

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said that governing Jammu and Kashmir requires a "delicate dance" with the Centre. "Governing J&K effectively requires a delicate dance with New Delhi, as acknowledged by the new government (in Jammu and Kashmir)," the PDP said in its monthly newsletter 'Speak Up' The party said its late patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed knew that for J-K's larger interest, unconventional paths must be explored, urging the BJP to adopt a more conciliatory approach akin to that of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "So, even with BJP's limited local influence, strategic engagement is necessary to leverage what rightfully belongs to J&K. Recent arbitrary dismissals of two employees, even with a popular government in place, raise questions. For now, all eyes are on the new government," the party said. The PDP said in Jammu and Kashmir, winning an election might be the simplest part of the political journey. "The real challenge is managing the complex web of public .