Keeping Pak pleased, Hurriyat wants talks

The decision to hold direct talks, sources said, was one of the highlightsof the three-day special session from October 23. Hurriyat chief Abdul Gani Bhat, sources said, asked his colleagues in the executive council to firstget the proposal vetted by their respective executive bodies — the Majlis-e-Shouras.

It is learnt that most of the 70 members, ten each from the seven executive parties, spoke in favour of a dialogue with the Centre. But the consensus was that Pakistan needs to be informed of the decision and should be to taken into confidence before any such move takes off.

Except for Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the entire top brass of the conglomerate is out of station. Moulvi Abass Ansari, the only Shia leader in the secessionist coalition, is in Iran. Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Lone, Yasin Malik, Abdul Gani Bhat are camping in New Delhi.

While Lone is trying to get permission to attend his son, SajadLone’s marriage with Asma Khan, daughter of the JKLF (A) chairman,Amanullah Khan in Pakistan, Umar is planning to travel to Qatar fora meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

Sources said the leadership will brief the Pakistani High Commissioner on what happened in the special session. The Hurriyat leaders will reportedly ask the Pakistanis to “bless theproposal and help break the ice.”

The leaders will assure the Pakistanis that the question of they being sidlelined does not arise and the move was only a tactical one, sources said.

Meanwhile, the JKLF has planned to hold a convention in Jammu, Rajouri,Poonch and Doda this week. The party, sources said, has plans to receiveits Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, at the Jammu airport who is comingfrom New Delhi. Javid Mir, the party vice-chairman led a delegation forJammu.

The convention is aimed at mobilising public opinion in these areas andalso demonstrate against the parties who, of late, have demanded the trifurcation of the state on communal lines.