Wed May 28 10:55:54 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

This news article reports on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement on May 28, 2025, regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah clarified that despite the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the conversation about restoring statehood continues. He mentioned raising the issue at a recent NITI Aayog meeting and stated his reluctance to discuss statehood during the special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, emphasizing that the dialogue remains ongoing.

**News Article:**

**J&K Statehood Talks Unfazed by Pahalgam Attack, Says Chief Minister Abdullah**

**Gulmarg, J&K – May 28, 2025** – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the public today that the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir remains a key topic of discussion despite recent security concerns. Speaking to reporters in Gulmarg, Mr. Abdullah addressed the question of whether the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam had derailed progress on the statehood issue.

“No, not at all,” stated Mr. Abdullah. “The conversation around statehood has not stalled.” He further revealed that he specifically raised the matter during a recent meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council, bringing it to the attention of the Prime Minister and other council members.

While Mr. Abdullah expressed reservations about using the special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to deliberate on statehood, he emphasized that the dialogue continues. “The only thing I was unwilling to do was to use the special session of the (Jammu and Kashmir) Assembly to talk about statehood. But that does not mean the conversation has stopped. The conversation is ongoing,” he clarified.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come at a sensitive time, with security concerns impacting the region. His statement aims to reassure residents that the government remains committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The situation remains closely watched as discussions progress.

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