Pak Mission invites separatists for dinner; withdraws later

In a surprise move, the Pakistani High Commission on Wednesday withdrew an invitation to separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir including Hurriyat Conference to join a dinner hosted in honour of a visiting delegation.

In a surprise move, the Pakistani High Commission on Wednesday withdrew an invitation to separatist leaders of Jammu and Kashmir including Hurriyat Conference to join a dinner hosted in honour of a visiting delegation.

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The Pakistan Mission here had sent out invitations to government functionaries as well as separatist leaders from Kashmir for a dinner in honour of its delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Fahmida Mirza.

However, as the separatists leaders arrived in the national capital, they were told that the dinner engagement was not on and only separate meetings would be held during the day.

While none of the separatist leaders was willing to comment on the issue, sources said that these leaders were told about the change in their plans during their separate meetings with Mirza and Deputy Chairman of Pakistani Senate Farooq Ahmed.

No reason was cited for the move, sources said.

The High Commission had also invited several Indian politicians. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Rehman Khan and Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah were among those present at the dinner.

Earlier, the Hurriyat delegation led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq met the Pakistani leaders and expressed their eagerness for resumption of talks between India and Pakistan.

Pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF Chairman Yaseen Malik also had separate meetings with the visiting Pakistani delegation.