Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the PDP stalwart, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said that there should be use of Pakistani currency in the state if it declares itself a free trade area. The statement has given  rise to a new controversy.

 

Sayeed said during a public rally at Mahore on Sunday that both the Pakistani and the Indian currency should be used in the state. But he refused to give his comment on the issue later. But his spokesperson, Renu Azad, tried to pacify the matter by saying that Sayeed said that the dual currency should be used only if free trade across LOC is permitted.

 

The general secretary of PDP, Nizamuddin Bhatt said such systems are prevalent in Nepal and other European countries, so why not in Jammu and Kashmir? Meanwhile BJP has expressed its displeasure over the matter. BJP spokesperson Hari Om said that BJP is amazed by the silence of the Congress regarding the matter. Meanwhile the President of National Conference, Omar Abdullah said that the PDP doesn’t care about the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and such statements have hurt the feelings of the people.