SRINAGAR: Two days after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said India wants to resolve all vexed issues with Pakistan through talks, Pakistan envoy to India Abdul Basit has invited separatist leaders in Kashmir for “Iftaar party” in national capital on June 25.
Basit invited the hardline and moderate separatist leaders and pro-independence JKLF chairman for the Iftaar party at Pakistan embassy in New Delhi.
Pakistan has been inviting the separatist leaders for Iftaar party during Ramadan every year.
A spokesman of hardline Hurriyat Conference (separatist conglomerate) led by Syed Ali Geelani said 30 members of the faction have been invited by the Pakistan High Commission for Iftaar party in New Delhi on June 25.
He said those invited include Syed Ali Geelani, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Khan and others.
Asked whether Geelani would attend the Iftaar party, the spokesman said it would be decided later.
He, however, said Hurriyat leaders would definitely attend the Iftaar party.
The leaders of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference led by cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have also been invited for the Iftaar party by the Pakistan envoy.
“Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit invited five Hurriyat leaders including Mirwaiz for the Iftar party on June 25,” a spokesman of moderate Hurriyat said.
He said besides Mirwaiz, those invited by Pakistan envoy include Moulana Abass Ansari, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone and Shahid-ul-Islam.
The spokesman said the Hurriyat leaders would decide in next few days whether to attend the Iftaar party or not.
Pro-independence JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who is presently under detention at Central Jail Srinagar, has also been invited for the Iftaar party by Pakistan envoy.