Peoples’ Conference Chairman, Sajad Lone said that it was time for Kashmiris to realize that they were facing enormous political and economic problems which can’t be solved by sheer criticism alone. Sajad Lone said that Kashmir was reeling under the challenges and problems of a twenty-five year long conflict that has battered the State’s economy and resulted in an erosion of its political institutions. The time has now come to realize that nobody will come from outside to solve our problems in Kashmir. We will have to confront the economic and political problems that we face and work towards resolving them. It was time for the Valley of Change-less-ness to wave the flags of Change.
Stating that criticizing and complaining alone will neither help nor change anything, Sajad Lone said that politics was a very powerful medium to change what we find unacceptable – in our society, our economy and our polity. There is no better medium to effect Change and better the lives of a people than politics. However, it is imperative for Kashmir’s well-being and prosperity, that educated and traditionally isolated youth join politics for their own empowerment and dreams. Sajad Lone said that entire North Kashmir, including the breathtaking valley of Lolab, has great tourism potential and if harnessed, North Kashmir could offer hundreds of tourism destinations that could compete with Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Tragically, no government has invested in good roads and public infrastructure, leave alone tourist infrastructure in North Kashmir – robbing the people of their right to economic growth and progress.