Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged the Indian opposition to support the Narendra Modi government’s peace initiatives, emphasizing the need for national unity over political rivalry. She cautioned against “knee-jerk criticism” and “political point-scoring,” advocating for a bipartisan approach to ensure peace and stability.
Mufti argued that the government should not be “politically penalised” for pursuing peaceful solutions, drawing parallels to former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, who engaged in cross-border dialogues during periods of tension without compromising national security. She called for “bipartisan statesmanship” rather than political division.
She also criticized certain television news outlets, stating that they were “distracting” the nation from critical issues. Mufti highlighted the contrast between domestic communal tensions and the modernization of Pakistan’s air force, warning against “toxic narratives” that she believes are diverting attention from India’s real challenges. She also challenged those who criticize ceasefire efforts from a distance, suggesting they experience the realities of border life firsthand.
