Pakistan asks separatists to bury their differences

NEW DELHI - Pakistan has asked feuding factions of Kashmiri separatists to bury the hatchet and present a united front for the cause of carrying forward the Kashmir ’struggle’.

It is learnt that Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Fehmida Mirza, presently on Indian visit to attend Commonwealth Speakers’ conference, has told different factions of separatists on Wednesday to resolve their differences.

According to diplomatic sources, Fehmida Mirza, held separate meetings with hard line Geelani group and moderate Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat conference on Wednesday evening during an interaction organized by the Pakistan High Commissioner.

Interestingly, meeting with Mirwaiz, who is also reportedly holding back-channel talks with New Delhi, went on for more than a hour. Abdul Ghani butt and Bilal Lone were part of the Mirwaiz delegation.

Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik was also present during the meeting .

Fehmida Mirza, also met Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yaseen Malik.

Over the years, cracks have emerged within Hurriyat faction. While moderate and flexible Mirwaiz is for talks, the hardliner Gilani, who has formed Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, is adopting a rigid attitude of ‘No talks’.

It is also learnt from the diplomatic sources that the Fehmida Mirza has once again conveyed to the separatists that Kashmir remains the core issue and Pakistan is for providing moral and diplomatic support to the cause.

Speaker has also assured the separatist leaders that Pakistan will make full-fledged efforts to muster global support for the Kashmir cause and will strengthen and activate the Kashmir committee which is dormant from last two years.

Meanwhile, Fehmida today reiterated Pakistan’s traditional stand which she said is in consonance of supporting tripartite talks and resolution of Kashmir issue on the basis of UN resolution. She also urged India to resume composite dialogue. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)