PDP Leader Accuses Govt of Plot to Cripple Kashmir’s Apple Industry

SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para on Sunday accused the government of deliberately attempting to “kill” Kashmir’s apple industry, describing it as the backbone of the Valley’s economy.

In a statement on X, Para wrote: “There’s a deliberate attempt to kill Kashmir’s apple industry — the backbone of our economy — to favour Himachal apple and cripple us. Mughal Road and NH-44 blockades are deliberate. Amid border skirmishes, what’s the justification for stopping apple trucks? If it were Op Sindoor or Yatra, would roads be blocked for so long? What justification does the government have? Accountability must be fixed and movement restored.”

There’s a deliberate attempt to kill Kashmir’s apple industry the backbone of our economy to favour Himachal apple and cripple us. Mughal Road & NH-44 blockades are deliberate. Amid border skirmishes, what’s the justification for stopping apple trucks? If it were Op Sindoor or…

— Waheed Para (@parawahid) September 21, 2025

Para said frequent blockades on Mughal Road and National Highway-44 have left fruit-laden trucks stranded for days, causing massive economic losses to growers and traders. He stressed that the disruptions appeared selective, pointing out that highways remain open for government programmes and religious pilgrimages.

The PDP youth leader called for urgent government intervention, demanding accountability from officials and immediate restoration of unhindered transport to protect the Valley’s fruit economy, which sustains thousands of families.

Frequent blockades on Mughal Road and Srinagar–Jammu NH-44 have paralysed Kashmir’s fruit industry, leaving truckloads of apples stranded for days. Growers warn the deliberate disruptions are crippling their livelihoods, causing massive losses to the Valley’s backbone economy. They demand accountability and urgent restoration of smooth transport to safeguard the sector.