SRINAGAR: Most leaders from both separatist and pro-India camps are likely to skip the upcoming Pugwash conference in Islamabad next week.
Sources in both the camps suggest that most of the leaders would skip the meet that was to discuss the future prospects of Kashmir issue.
Chairmen of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq , JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik and Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone have not been issued passports whereas the other separatist leaders are also likely to give a miss to the conference that is being viewed as part of Track -II diplomacy.
Meanwhile most of the mainstream politicians have also reportedly decided against visiting Pakistan. Though none of the mainstream politicians is willing to cite any reason on record but off the record most of them have cited the prevailing tension on LOC as main reason for not traveling to Pakistan.
Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti has confirmed that she wont be going to Pakistan for the conference, There was a delay in the clearance process. It has now come but I have already chalked out my programmes, so I wont be going there. Mehbooba told KNS.
The Conference was earlier postponed and would now be held from September 15 at Islamabad. It was earlier scheduled from August 17 to August 21 but was postponed due to some unknown reasons. Pugwash Secretary General Paolo Cotta Ramusino had visited Kashmir in May this year to extend invitation to the mainstream and separatist leaders to take part in the conference.
In 2006, leaders from both separatist and mainstream camps, including then National Conference president and incumbent chief minister, Omar Abdullah, had participated in the conference held in Islamabad.
The organizers had sent invitation to Pradesh Congress President Prof Saifudin Soz, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone, CPI(M) Secretary MY Tarigami and NC leader Dr. Mehboob Beigh.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
