Srinagar, May 17 -- Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday made a strong pitch for the release of prisoners ahead of Eid, calling it the "first real confidence-building measure" to ease tensions in the Valley, while asserting that the solution to Kashmir lies in dialogue within the framework of the Constitution.

Addressing a gathering at Sher-e-Kashmir Park, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president said Delhi will have to listen to the voice of Kashmiris. "We believe in engagement and talks. We seek peace with dignity," she said, emphasising that development alone is insufficient without meaningful political outreach.

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's past attempts to engage with Pakis...