Looking ahead, Delhi lets the Hurriyat bus go beyond PoK in Pak

Dropping its stand that any travel by Hurriyat leaders beyond Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would be contrary to the understanding between...

Dropping its stand that any travel by Hurriyat leaders beyond Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would be contrary to the understanding between India and Pakistan, the Government has decided to let the Kashmiri separatist leaders make their own travel plans.

Official sources today said that the separatist leaders could use their passports to travel beyond PoK. In short, if they decide to visit Lahore and Islamabad. Those without passports could fill in applications and passports would be issued at the earliest, sources said.

In Islamabad today, after a meeting with visiting BJP president L K Advani, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Hurriyat ‘‘represented’’ the people of Kashmir and their visit to Pakistan was being eagerly awaited.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘We look forward to their visit and I personally, the government and the President (Pervez Musharraf) are looking forward to meet them… This will help in better understanding and make progress on the Kashmir issue,’’ Aziz said.

Of the Kashmiri separatist leaders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Bilal Lone and Yasin Malik have passports. Shabir Ahmed Shah has already filed an application and he will be issued a passport tomorrow.

Kurnool bus fire: Several feared dead in Andhra tragedy, CM grieves loss of families

Cities40 min ago

A massive fire gutted a bus in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Several people are feared to have died in the fire. The Volvo bus, carrying 40 people, was reportedly going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS