Jammu, March 17 (IANS) The people of India and Pakistan want to live in peace and amity, but the Pakistan Army and ISI were the biggest hurdles in normalising relations between the two neighbours, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Monday.
"The notorious intelligence agency of Pakistan, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistani Army do not want peace between the two countries," Azad said at a public meeting in Mendhar border town in Poonch district.
"Those at the helm of affairs in ISI and the Pakistani Army are minting money by launching a hatred campaign against India.
"Through the hatred campaign, the Pakistani army and ISI are ensuring that normalisation of relations does not happen," he said.
Azad said it was during the Congress-led regime in the state that normalcy was restored and those who had created terror were taken to task.
"At that time of militancy, our sisters and daughters were harassed and tortured by foreign mercenaries. But when I took over as chief minister, security and self-respect for women remained my top priority.
"And now things have changed a lot and people, especially those living in the border villages, are safe and living a peaceful life," he said.
Seeking support for Congress candidate Madan Lal Sharma, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Jammu-Poonch seat, Azad said it was the need of the hour to strengthen secular forces in the country.
He said Congress was the symbol of secularism, and cautioned people against wasting their votes.
Azad said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was very much aware that its candidate was not going to win the elections and it fielded people only to cut secular votes in Jammu region.
"Only the Congress candidate is in a position to take on divisive politics of the Bharatiya Janata Party... so people should not waste their votes," he said.
Azad said it was time for people to vote for secularism and urged leaders to serve people irrespective of caste, colour and creed.
State Congress chief Saifuddin Soz also appealed to people to realise that the Congress at the centre was fighting a battle against forces of divisiveness, sectarianism and communalism.
Davinder Singh Rana, Ajay Sadhotra and Javed Rana - leaders of the National Conference which is in a coalition government with the Congress in the state - also appealed to the people to vote for their joint candidate Sharma.
Atul Subhash Case: Big news in Atul Subhash case, Nikita's uncle Sushil gets relief; got anticipatory bail on this basis
Allahabad High Court has approved the anticipatory bail plea of Sushil Singhania, uncle of Nikita, wife of AI engineer Atul Subhash, accused of suicide. The court has given this relief for four
Puri Jagannath: Mahabahu will depart from Janma Bedi to Ratna Bedi, a huge crowd gathered to see the return of the ruler of the world and pull the chariot
The play of Jagat Niyantara Jagannath Mahaprabhu was completed on Monday at Janam Bedi. Today, Mahaprabhu will depart from Gundicha Temple Janam Bedi to Ratna Bedi with his brother and sister. The
IMF Chief Economist said: India has the potential to become a $10 trillion economy, just these steps have to be taken
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas has praised the Indian economy. He said that the Indian economy is booming at a time when the world is facing the prospect
Opposition to sending Justice Verma to Allahabad High Court, Bar Association will go on indefinite strike from today
Justice Yashwant Verma of Delhi High Court, who is facing investigation after unaccounted cash was found in his government residence, has been sent to his original court Allahabad High Court along
Ajinkya Rahane: IPL 2023 Experienced players are doing wonders this season, not youth, from Ajinkya Rahane to Amit Mishra
IPL 2023 has crossed its half stage. Almost seven league matches have been played for all the teams and now the playoff race is getting tougher in the points table as well. Young players often do
Saudi women will run bullet train: the first batch of 32 women ready after training, first test between Mecca and Medina
The ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia was lifted just four years ago. Now very soon the women of this place will be seen driving the bullet train. This dream of women is going to come true under
ICC announces bids for World Cup mementos
Wellington, March 22 (IANS) With the buzz around the World Cup semi-finals, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday came up with an unique opportunity for fans and astute collectors
G20 Summit: PM Modi leaves from Bali, Rishi Sunak said – talked to India about the trade deal, but America...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PM Modi) has left for India from Bali, Indonesia after participating in the G20 Summit. PM Modi was in Bali to attend the two-day G20 summit. The conference started on
Congress demands FIR against Modi for poll code violation
New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) The Congress Thursday demanded an FIR be lodged against BJP leader Narendra Modi, party workers and TV channels for poll code violation with the telecast of the Gujarat
Suriname: President Draupadi Murmu addresses the Indian community in Paramaribo, and leaves for Serbia
President Draupadi Murmu is currently on a tour of Suriname and Serbia. He addressed the Indian community in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname late on Tuesday night (Indian time). President Murmu
