Pakistan Embassy invites Hurriyat leaders for Eid Milan

SRINAGAR: The Pakistan high commission has invited Hurriyat leaders for an Eid Milan, coinciding with Pakistan premier’s adviser Sartaj Aziz’s statement that Indo-Pak talks were incomplete without discussion on Kashmir, which New Delhi is unlikely to take kindly to.

Hurriyat leaders had expressed anger over the absence of reference of Kashmir in the Indo-Pak joint statement in Ufa, Russia last Friday. The Pakistan high commission will organise an Eid gathering on July 22, after cancelling a July 4 Iftaar party with Hurriyat leadership in the wake of the Ufa meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi.

Hurriyat leaders, who rejected the joint statement, remained tight lipped about their decision to attend the function in New Delhi next week.

“We are convening a meeting on Tuesday, where decision regarding participation in Eid Milan function will be made,” Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar told ET. Similarly, J&K Liberation Front Chairman Yasin Malik stated that he was yet to receive any formal invitation.

The NDA government has raised objections to consultations with Hurriyat leaders, by the Pak high commission. The Pak high commission in New Delhi has been holding meetings with separatists since 1995.

While responding to media on inviting Hurriyat leaders, high commissioner Abdul Basit said: “Nothing unusual about our invite to Hurriyat leaders. The hype being created by some is unfortunate. Pakistan will continue extending its full moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of J&K in their legitimate struggle for self determination as provided for in UN Charter...”