Proceedings of the sessions of the State Assembly, Indo-Pak dialogue and the performance of the Mufti Government, especially its failure to check corruption, remained the major topics of discussion in the Urdu press.

·         At the State Assembly

In its lead story (6 June 2003), Alsafa reported on the proceedings of the State Assembly that remained affected due to heated arguments between the Opposition and the allied parties. “The opposition members demanded that Mufti explain the custodial killing of Mohd Ashraf Malik in Kupwara.” Failing that, Mufti reminded the opposition of the Pathribal incident, and continued to argue that his government was concerned about protecting human rights.

The Alsafa (7 June 2003) also carried Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s statement in the Assembly as its lead story. Mufti appealed, “Those who do not want accession to Pakistan and who did not contest elections and picked up the gun are welcome for dialogue. The state has no restrictions and anybody can come here. People who are alienated from their homeland should be allowed to meet people in Jammu and Kashmir so that they will come to know that Islamic culture is rooted in India and Kashmir.” It continued that Kashmiris were at the receiving end of the political confrontation between India and Pakistan. Nevertheless, Kashmir has now become a bridge between the two countries and a friendly atmosphere was underway between two.

The bilingual Alsafa expressed its concern over the budget being presented in the State Assembly in its editorial (5 June 2003): “Though the government claims that in accordance with promises made to people it would put in every effort to restore peace, work for prosperity of the state and welfare of its people, nothing like that seems to be on the ground.” It continued, “people not only show great disinterest in budgets, but equally detest arguments and explanations by the government as these have always proved futile.” There is neither electricity nor water. No resources for employment, no rules and regulations for transport on the roads, and no dispensation for poor students, summed up the editorial.

The Alsafa also reported (4 June 2003) a statement in the Assembly on lifting the ban on government jobs. “At tehsil level, the jobs would be provided in order of merit. The state has demanded a special status to lift the ban on government services.” Referring to the recently concluded visit of Prime Minister Vajpayee to the state, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said that Vajpayee had promised jobs to one lakh youth. For this purpose, a committee under the Chief Secretary has been formed which also include few high officials from the state.

·         Indo-Pak Dialogue

The Srinagar Times (3 June 2003) highlighted the statement of Aziz Ahmed Khan, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Pakistan in India, that “Pakistan will take all the necessary steps for a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with India.” Reiterating the position of Pakistan on Kashmir, he said “the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the UN resolutions.”

In the light of Vajpayee’s statement vis-à-vis the Indo-Pak dialogue on returning from his foreign visit, the Srinagar Times observed in a news report (6 June 2003) that political groups viewed the Prime Minister’s statement as positive and meaningful. It continued, “Vajpayee’s statement in Srinagar became a matter of serious discussion among sections of government in Pakistan.” Referring to few political analysts who viewed the Prime Minister’s visit to Srinagar as intended to mislead the outside world, the news report emphasized that “Vajpayee’s visit was intended to give an impression to the outside world that India believes in peaceful means rather than violence.”

·         Mufti Government  

The weekly Chattan in its editorial (2 June 2003), criticized the government for failing to provide a corruption-free administration. Referring to a government statement that identified 13 departments that mint money, the editorial read “the government time and again reiterates that it will eliminate corruption in all its forms but situation on the ground is quite contrary to it. To get work done in an office, one has to grease the palms of concerned officials. From peon to head of the institution, the story is the same.”

The editorial further observed that corruption and politics in Jammu and Kashmir go together. It referred to the misdoings of the National Conference that failed to check corruption. “During the NC’s tenure, even tickets for Assembly seats were sold. The need of the hour is to bring a fair system into play in government offices and institutions.” The editorial pointed out that vigilant organizations and honest people should be allowed to take control of the functioning of government offices so that the administration comes back on track.