PM Nawaz invites Syed Ali Geelani to visit Pakistan

The premier extended invitation to the Hurriyet leader through Pakistani HC in India, says Hurriyet spokesperson


Web Desk October 10, 2015
A file photo of Kashmiri Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Geelani. PHOTO: AFP

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has invited Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani to visit Pakistan, the latter's party said on Saturday.

"Geelani was handed the invitation letter from Sharif by Pakistan High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit over a dinner at the latter's residence at Tilak Marg in Delhi last night," Geelani-led Hurriyet's spokesperson said.

Nawaz deemed Kashmir issue as an unfinished agenda of Pakistan’s creation, and made it clear that friendly ties between Pakistan and India could not be restored without resolving the issue, the spokesperson added.

Read: Hurriyat leader lauds Pakistan's stance on Kashmir issue

"In the letter, Nawaz said Kashmir is not a border dispute but concerns 'right to self-determination' of 20 million people.

"He also said Pakistan had made it clear to India there could be no progress on bilateral ties while ignoring the Kashmir issue."

Read: Hurriyat leaders deplore cancellation of Indo-Pak peace talks

"We want good relations with all our neighbours, including India but New Delhi's unrealistic approach has been a big impediment," the spokesperson quoted the prime minister as having stated in the letter.

The party said Geelani had in principle accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan but did not mention any specific date for his arrival.

The article first appeared on The Times of India

COMMENTS (28)

Skywalker | 8 years ago | Reply @Raj - USA: You are correct. Also, If PM Nawaz is so concerned about Kashmiris, he should invite the members of Kashmir Nationalist Party and take their concerns too. Looks like a way to divert attention from core issues happening in the country and let people's mind get busy with another Kashmir related story.
Imran | 8 years ago | Reply @Surya Pandit: I am a Kashmiri Muslim and Geelani does in fact represent the majority from the Valley , well better than most anyway. And what does temples have to with deciding the political future of Kashmir. Let Ladakh be a Union Territory. Let Jammu be with India. But for God sakes don't suppress the voice of the majority the Kashmiri Muslims just for your own sake.
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