The President of the Apni Party, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari, affirmed on Tuesday that recognizing Punjabi as one of the official languages in Jammu and Kashmir is a top priority for his party. Speaking at a joining program in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, organized by the Women Wing and presided over by Provincial President Pavneet Kour, Altaf Bukhari welcomed prominent Sikh Community social activist Inderpal Singh and his supporters into the Apni Party.
Addressing the gathering, Bukhari expressed the significance of the Punjabi language, highlighting its widespread usage across communities in various regions of Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that the language holds historical and cultural importance, and its recognition as an official language is essential.
Bukhari assured the new party members and the Sikh Community at large that the Apni Party is committed to resolving the issues faced by the Sikh Community, emphasizing that representation will be provided to ensure their concerns are heard in the Legislative Assembly. He called for proportional representation of Sikh Community members from each region. Reflecting on the formation of the Apni Party, Bukhari explained that it emerged to address the vacuum left by traditional political parties after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. He emphasized the party’s efforts to represent the people’s concerns in Delhi, engaging with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
The President reiterated the Apni Party’s commitment to continue the struggle for statehood and called for the timely conduct of Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He outlined the party’s plans for a fair recruitment process, improvements in the healthcare and education sectors, and infrastructure development.
Prominent figures present at the event included Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Vice President Usman Majeed, and other key leaders from various party wings and regions. The joining program marked the inclusion of Sikh Community members into the Apni Party, signalling a broader commitment to inclusivity and representation.