SRINAGAR: Nasir Aslam Wani, an advisor to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has emphasized the need to revive the Apex Committee to facilitate the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. He stated that a structured dialogue mechanism is crucial for finding a sustainable solution to the community’s reintegration.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Wani, speaking at the Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, affirmed the administration’s commitment to reactivating the Apex Committee. This body will serve as a platform for engaging with representatives of the Kashmiri Pandit community to develop a comprehensive roadmap for their dignified return.
Wani underscored the significance of the Kashmiri Pandit community’s presence for the completeness of Kashmir, stating that the Valley would remain incomplete until Kashmiri Pandits returned and coexisted with Kashmiri Muslims once more. He expressed a sentiment of shared identity and future, asserting that the blood and skin of individuals are the same, regardless of their community affiliation.
The Apex Committee was originally established by the erstwhile government of Jammu and Kashmir in 2009. Its mandate was to oversee and facilitate the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits who had been displaced, as well as to monitor the implementation of rehabilitation packages announced by the Central government. The committee traditionally included representatives from the government and members from various Kashmiri Pandit organizations.
The advisor acknowledged that past efforts, including various rehabilitation packages, transit accommodation schemes, and numerous committees, had not fully achieved the intended objective of facilitating the return of the community. He stressed that any initiative would fall short of complete success if Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims did not live together again in harmony.
Addressing the attendees, Wani urged for dialogue between the communities, advocating against mutual blame. He highlighted that there have always been individuals, both in the past and present, who empathize with and support the Kashmiri Pandit community. He concluded by reiterating the administration’s intention to soon engage with community representatives to work towards the revival of the Apex Committee.
The Chenab Times News Desk