States » NorthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 4:12PM


Restoration of full statehood, constitutional safeguards among central political concerns of J&K: JKAP Chief

Jammu, Sep 18 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday reiterated that restoration of full statehood and adequate constitutional safeguards relating to land, jobs and the rights of the people remain among the central political concerns of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a party joining event by a group of prominent leaders, social workers and former PRI members from the erstwhile Doda district here at the party headquarters, Bukhari said the Apni Party would continue to provide a political platform to people from every region and community of J&K and would encourage leaders, professionals, social workers and young people to participate in public life.
He said the party's emphasis would remain on issues affecting ordinary citizens, including employment, economic opportunities, public services, infrastructure and the protection of legitimate rights. Welcoming the new entrants, he expressed confidence that their experience and grassroots connect would strengthen the party's organisational network.
He has previously maintained that these issues cannot be treated merely as electoral slogans and has called for clarity and action rather than indefinite assurances.
At the same time, Bukhari has been critical of the National Conference-led administration over what he describes as inadequate attention to unemployment, basic amenities and other pressing public concerns, arguing that the government must use the powers available to it to address people's day-to-day problems.
The joining comes amid the party's continuing efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence across the union Territory.
Altaf Bukhari welcomed the new entrants and said that the increasing participation of people from different regions and backgrounds in the Apni Party reflected, according to him, a desire for politics centred on public issues rather than slogans.
He said Jammu and Kashmir is passing through an important phase in which political parties needed to demonstrate that their commitments could actually be translated into policies and tangible results.
Reiterating his oft-stated approach that political leaders should make only those promises which are "practicable and achievable," Bukhari said people have become increasingly conscious of the difference between electoral assurances and deliverable governance.
Bukhari said the foremost challenge before Jammu and Kashmir was to create meaningful employment opportunities and restore confidence among the younger generation.
He argued that the government must give sustained attention to recruitment, entrepreneurship, private investment and the strengthening of sectors.
He also stressed the need to improve healthcare, education, roads, electricity, drinking water and other essential services across both urban and rural areas.
He emphasised that local youth should be given adequate opportunities to work in and benefit from projects being executed in their own areas, so that development translates into sustainable employment and economic empowerment for local families.
He also called for a transparent and structured mechanism to ensure that eligible local residents, contractors, skilled workers, entrepreneurs and businesses are not excluded from the opportunities generated by these projects.
Meanwhile, J&K Apni Party Jammu Province President Manjit Singh welcomed the new members and said their decision to join the party demonstrated growing interest in its stated approach of honest and issue-based politics.
He said the Apni Party would provide space to people with grassroots experience and those who have remained connected with public concerns at the village and constituency levels.
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Tags: #Restoration of full statehood# constitutional safeguards among central political concerns of J&K: JKAP Chief
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