SRINAGAR : Democratic Freedom Party (DPF) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah left for New Delhi this morning while chairmen of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference (HC) and others will follow to hold talks with Pakistan Prime Minister’s Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz.
However, the Pakistan’s stand to go ahead and hold talks with Kashmiri separatists despite protests by India has already threatened the National Security Advisor (NSA) level talks between India and Pakistan, scheduled to be held tomorrow and August 24.
Shabir Shah who was again put under house arrest since yesterday morning left for New Delhi this morning to meet Mr Aziz. Shah remained under house arrest for the past one month but was released for a day on August 19.
Besides Shabir, chairmen of both the factions of the HC Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik and National Front (NF) Chairman Nayeem Ahmad Khan have been invited by New Delhi based Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit for a meeting with Mr Aziz.
“We are leaving tomorrow to hold talks with Mr Aziz in the evening”, a spokesperson of the moderate HC advocate Shahidul Islam told.
He confirmed that Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq will lead the delegation. “We are flying to Delhi tomorrow and meet Mr Aziz later in the evening”, he added.
A spokesperson of the hardline HC Aiyaz Akbar told that Mr Geelani, who is still under house arrest, will leave for New Delhi on Monday morning.
“Our meeting with Mr Aziz has been fixed at 0930 on Monday”, Aiayz, who is accompanying Mr Geelani to New Delhi said.
“We will leave for Delhi on Monday morning for the meeting”, he said adding there is nothing new in the meeting as separatist leaders from Kashmir were meeting Pakistani leadership in the past also.
“We are the main party to Kashmir dispute”, he said adding any talks with the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not bear any fruit as has been witnessed since 1947. India and Pakistan fought three wars and hold talks without making any breakthrough on Kashmir which is threatening the peace in the sub continent.
However, JKLF Chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik said two senior leaders of the front Showkat Ahmad Bakshi and Ghulam Rasool Edi will represent the front in the talks. Malik, who was scheduled to lead the front delegation to hold talks with Mr Aziz stayed back after the meeting was deferred to be held post NSA talks between India and Pakistan. (UNI)