PDF chief Hakeem Yaseen urges long-term peace plans, seeks compensation for cross-border shelling victims

• Says let shepherds in Budgam return to pastures

SRINAGAR: President of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, on Tuesday welcomed the recent ceasefire and restoration of normalcy in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the security forces for their firm response during the crisis, which helped de-escalate tensions and safeguard civilian lives.

In a statement issued to the press, Hakeem Yaseen emphasized that the fight against terrorism must continue with full force until it is completely eradicated. However, he stressed that the pursuit of peace must be accompanied by long-term plans that prioritize the well-being of the region's residents, particularly those living in vulnerable border areas.

“The return of calm is a welcome development, but the government must now shift focus to the rehabilitation of border residents who have suffered immense losses due to cross-border shelling,” Yaseen said. He called for an urgent and comprehensive assessment of the damage to homes and properties and demanded that affected families be provided with adequate compensation and assistance for reconstruction.

“The government has a moral and constitutional responsibility to not only ensure the safety of its citizens but also to restore their dignity and means of livelihood,” he stated. The PDF chief further highlighted the plight of the Gujjar, Bakerwal, and Chopan communities, whose seasonal migration to highland pastures is essential for their survival. He raised concern over the continued restrictions in these areas, which have prevented shepherds from accessing traditional grazing lands for their cattle, sheep, and goats.

“While combating terrorism is absolutely necessary, it should not come at the cost of our own people’s livelihoods,” Yaseen said. “These communities have depended on these pastures for generations. Their exclusion from these areas threatens their only source of income, pushing them deeper into poverty.”

He emphasized that while tourism and civilian movement may understandably be restricted in sensitive zones due to security concerns, the needs of local residents—especially those engaged in traditional occupations like pastoralism—must be handled differently and with empathy.

“Seasonal migration during the summer months is not a luxury but a survival strategy for these marginalized communities,” Yaseen pointed out. “In a region already battling high unemployment and economic uncertainty, cutting off such a vital source of sustenance will only worsen social unrest.”

Urging the authorities to lift the restrictions on these grazing areas, he called for the immediate restoration of access to traditional pastures. “The fight against militancy should not translate into a fight against our own people. Let the shepherds return to their respective areas. Their lives and livelihoods matter too,” Yaseen asserted.

He reiterated that lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir can only be achieved through a balanced approach—one that combines strong security measures with inclusive development, economic support, and protection of the rights of all communities.