Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar has condemned the burning of schools at various places in Kashmir during the last few days and stressed the need to tread the road of dialogue which is the only way forward.The Minister said that the damage to schools is not just burning of an institution but a colossal loss for the entire society. He said that during the last few months Kashmir has gone through a bad phase which has given pain to everybody. "The biggest causality has been the loss of human lives which is irreparable. We cannot bring them back but we can save our future generation," said Naeem. "We will never forget the people who died. For the good of all we have to proceed constructively and dialogue is the only way forward."Mr Akhtar said Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti too has repeatedly reiterated the stand of the party and the government regarding dialogue with all shades of the political opinion in J&K to pull the state out of the morass. He said that during the current turmoil people have suffered immensely on every count and PDP came with the sole agenda that such cycle of loss of life and property doesn't occur again and again.
"It was Mufti Sahebs dream to take everybody along on the road of peace, prosperity and development. He knew that the issue can be resolved only when entire country is taken along and that became the basis of the formation of current government," said Naeem. "To achieve that long lasting peace everybody has to contribute and people from all schools of thoughts should come forwards for dialogue. Everybody has to make an effort."The Minister said that the dominant feature of the ruling alliance is dialogue, reconciliation apart from development. "The people of Kashmir have been the primary sufferers of the conflict for the last so many generations. We have suffered physically, intellectually, socially, economically and in every other front. It is high time that these tragic times should end. Our party has been formed with the single aim of resolution of issues," said Naeem. "Our party is working on multiple fronts to achieve the long lasting solution of peace and prosperity with dignity."The Minister expressed his sadness over the losses that have been mounting during the last few months. "Our start-ups have closed, entrepreneurs have fled due to the unfortunate events. We have gone back by so many years and the sooner we realize it the sooner the better it is," said Naeem.