As the vote counting for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections commenced on Tuesday, Awami Ittehad Party President and Member of Parliament Sheikh Abdul Rashid, commonly known as Engineer Rashid, made a heartfelt appeal for peace and the protection of rights in the region. Highlighting the unique and strategic significance of Jammu and Kashmir, which is flanked by Pakistan and China, Rashid reminded the public that the global community is closely observing the situation.
“Power is not a permanent entity. Jammu and Kashmir is not just any ordinary state. With Pakistan on one side and China on the other, the world is watching us. It is vital that the people of Kashmir are allowed to live freely and have their rights respected,” Rashid stated.
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In addition to his comments on the regional significance, Engineer Rashid urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to utilize his upcoming visit to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as an opportunity to foster genuine peace in Kashmir. “Dr. Jaishankar should not visit Islamabad merely as a formality. It is essential that he does not mislead the world by suggesting that his presence at the SCO will suffice. He must work behind the scenes to achieve something meaningful for the peace of Kashmir,” he insisted.
The Lok Sabha representative from Baramullah also emphasized the necessity for the incoming government to serve as a liaison between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government in New Delhi. “I urge that whichever government takes shape in Jammu and Kashmir should act as a bridge, ensuring that our issues are addressed and that our people can live with dignity and self-respect,” he said.
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The vote counting for the assembly elections began at 8 AM on Tuesday. The elections for the 90 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. According to the Election Commission of India, the overall voter turnout for the Assembly elections in the Union Territory was recorded at 63.88 percent, with a notable 69.69 percent turnout in the third phase on October 1.
Preliminary exit polls suggest that the National Conference-Congress alliance may hold a favorable position in the ongoing election results in Jammu and Kashmir.
