11/06/2025
Apni Party leadership welcomes new entrants from Bijbehara
J&K’s gravest issues are rising unemployment, a flawed reservation system, and the continued detentions, Says Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari
Apni Party president expresses disappointment over the government’s failure to address even the smallest public issues
Srinagar, June 11: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said that rising unemployment, a faulty reservation system, and the issue of detainees are Jammu and Kashmir’s gravest challenges that demand immediate resolution.
He expressed his disappointment over the performance of the government, saying that eight months have passed since it was formed, yet even the smallest public issues are not being addressed or resolved.
Mr. Bukhari made these remarks while speaking to the media on the sidelines of a party event held at the party headquarters in Srinagar. The event was organised to formally welcome a group of new entrants from South Kashmir into the party fold. Prominent party leaders were present on this occasion. Those who joined the party included Dr. Altaf Ahmad Nizami, Advocate Zeeshan, and Advocate Mudasir, along with scores of their associates. They were persuaded for joining by party leaders including Israr Ahmed Chowdhary and Nisar Ahmad Nengroo.
Responding to questions from reporters, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “After the assembly elections, we had decided to give the ruling party some time to fulfil its poll promises and address important governance issues. However, even after eight months, we find that not even the most basic public concerns and grievances have been addressed. Not to talk of addressing the gravest issues such as rising unemployment, a faulty reservation system, the issue of detainees, and so on.”
He further said, “There are several important matters on which this government has the authority to make decisions. Delhi is also a Union Territory (UT), yet look at how the Delhi government has revolutionised the education and health sectors. Why can't the J&K government take similar steps on issues of public interest? This government even has the power to extend the 15-year residency eligibility to 50 years or more. But they seem least interested in such matters — not even in addressing smaller issues.”
“I think the people have realised that trusting the traditional parties again and voting for them was a mistake. These parties had even boasted about restoring the abrogated Article 370 during their election campaign. Now, they don’t even mention it,” he added.
He reiterated his unwavering stance that the solutions to the problems and issues that people of J&K are facing, will come only from New Delhi.
He said, “See how the leaders of traditional political parties are now queuing up to meet the Lieutenant Governor (LG). The fact is, the real center of power is in Delhi, and the access point to it is the LG’s office. I have always believed that the issues of J&K can be resolved by the central government, not by anyone else. This is a simple and logical reality that we must understand.”
Giving a warm welcome to the new entrants into the party fold, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said,” I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you on joining the Apni Party. Our party stands as a trusted platform dedicated to public service and the betterment of society. We have decided to expand our cadre further and intensify our political and public outreach activities. I am pleased to greet you today, as I believe that together we will be able to implement the Apni Party’s vision — striving for lasting peace, sustained prosperity, and inclusive development across Jammu and Kashmir.”
Besides the party president, the other prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Chairman of Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) Mohammad Dilawar Mir, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir, President of Party’s Youth Wing Yawar Mir, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Spokesperson Ishrat Bhat, Provincial Organiser Constituency Incharge Hazratbal and DDC Member Shabir Reshi, Constituency Incharge Dooru Bashir Ahmad Bragami, Constituency Incharge Shangus-Anantnag East Maharaj Krishan Yogi, Constituency In۔charge Central Shalteng Zaffar Habib Dar, Party leader Sheikh Muzaffar, party workers including Muktesh Yogi Rayees Ahmad, Showkat Ahmad, Asif Ahmad, and others.
