Pakistan

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 | 9 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 | 9 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.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Kamal | 9 years ago | Reply If Kashmir is unfinished agenda of 1947 then presence of Muslim is unfinished agenda of millions and millions of today's Indians. Indian's experience with Muslim since 1947 has not been pleasant. Australian Prime Minister has just told Muslim to leave. Burma or Myamar just expelled them. In America, discussion is going at presidential level if Muslim is fit for President's job. Muslim have not been good citizen in any non Muslim contry and India is no exception. There is no Gandhi in India today who will keep Muslim there just for vote bank. Muslim should understand that India is secular by choice. Muslim rigidness is making Hindus to ask 'Why?'. Constitution of India has changed many times. It is just done by act of parliament. Most of Hindus have forced to move to India from Pakistan then why Indians are left with Muslim like Galani. India should not do any talking to Pakistan till it accepts migration of Indian Muslim as their birthright. There is never going to be peace in the region till India has Muslim who profess two nation theory and like to go to Pakistan. One nation wide riot as Sikhs witnessed would make them refugees.

Raj - USA | 9 years ago | Reply My bet 9:1 Geelini will not go to Pakistan. He does not trust Pakistan at all but will pretend to be supporting Pakistan and even talk on behalf of Pakistan, only to gain advantage for him from India. I will be proven correct if Geelani does not visit Pakistan before the end of this year.

Skywalker | 9 years ago | Reply @Surya Pandit: You are correct. @Pakistani: No offense, but I believe you either don't fathom it and/or don't want to accept it. India is diverse (and besides its problems, is trying its best to encourage it, since 70 or so years), and has intentions of staying so, since plural societies are never homogeneous, despite current turbulence. Not so much with Pakistan, unfortunately the ruling class, is trying to shove an ideology down its awam's throat which they have challenge accepting, and we see its effect. I am personally disheartened, since many good Pakistanis brothers and sisters will suffer in long run, but I can't do much except pray for good times.

Surya Pandit | 9 years ago | Reply @pakistani I am a Kashmiri Pandit and Geelani does not represent us from the Valley. He does not represent Ladakh which is Buddhist, or Jammu which is Hindu. How can you say that kashmir is different from the rest of India. Hinduism and Buddhism are native to our land! Perhaps you also are not aware that kashmir is the home to ancient Hindu temples and has been a seat of learning and philosophy for millenia.

Skywalker | 9 years ago | Reply @roadkashehzada: Take him. Treat him the way Arif Shahid was treated.

Malatesh | 9 years ago | Reply Good decision Pakistan.. Keep him there permanently.. Let Geelani to enjoy 'azadi' what he was demanding from several years...

haris | 9 years ago | Reply Yeah Pakistan is working on development and currently we have a development project with China and it would give a strong boom to Pakistan economy that's why world eyes is on our future development and India is really worried about that development project@Navin:

Reddy | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani:ya , kasmiris are so eager to become a part of failed economy, first cut the flow of pakistani hindus,sikhs into india and muslims in to EU

roadkashehzada | 9 years ago | Reply as pakistanis, we are ready to take Gillani sb as well as ALL kashmiri people who want to live in pakistan. lets hold a plebiscite in kashmir. if people who want to live in pakistan are in minority, we are happy to accommodate them in AJK and Pakistan. if they are in majority, we can get the land as well and keep the minority indian voters.

Reddy | 9 years ago | Reply finally, pakistan listens to india on either talk to india or talk to separatists...now don't pester india to talk to you

BHAGWAT GOEL | 9 years ago | Reply

        THE INVITATION SHOWS THE LEVEL OF THE MINDS OF BOTH CIVIL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP IN PAKISTAN.

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply All Indianos, Why don't you just give Kashmir and Kashmiris to us, they are different people than you.

Vakil | 9 years ago | Reply Geelani can try and become the 'Imam Khomeini' of Kashmir ... just as the Iranian leader was in exile in Paris or somewhere else before the revolution. If only India follows suit and 'exiles' him to Pakistan. Follow that up with the likes of Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Masarat Alam etc etc etc

Malik | 9 years ago | Reply Be careful... he may start an azadi movement in Azad kashmir... he ...he..

salman Jung | 9 years ago | Reply Please call and keep Geelani in Pakistan for rest of his years. You will come to know for sure what kind of snake he is.

vasan | 9 years ago | Reply One small request. If he comes there, please,please keep him there itself and dont ever ever send him back. The stone throwers may have no one to pay for them,. But they may start attending schools henceforth.

joy | 9 years ago | Reply And if he comes to your country, please relocate him to FATAv.because thats where he belongs.

ahmad | 9 years ago | Reply very good and bold step by the government

kedar | 9 years ago | Reply Great, India should allow Mr. Gilani to Visit Pakistan and thereafter revoke his Visa and Passport and never let him enter India.

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply We will serve him beef as well.

Anjaan | 9 years ago | Reply India will not be a hostage of Kashmir or Pakistan ... India will move on despite Kashmir and Pakistan ... and respond to all provocations in kind ... !!

Iqrar | 9 years ago | Reply @observer: If you refer to this great freedom fighter without regard to his fearless and consistent stand on the right of his people then you clearly need to have your brain cells overhauled. You are bind to reality and will never accept how serious the Kashmir issue is.and how much Pakistan supports K people.

Blithe | 9 years ago | Reply Thank you democracy. Musharraf used to call him a madman. Nawaz Sharif Gives him due respect and recognition he deserves on being a genuine freedom fighter.

G. Din | 9 years ago | Reply When he arrives there, don't let him leave as he is your darling. To help you do that, India should withdraw his passport at the departure terminal in India, airport or the cross LOC bus depending on how he decides to travel..

observer | 9 years ago | Reply Good. Sharif should give asylum to this terrorist Geelani whose hands are soaked in the blood of thousands of Kashmiris.

Navin | 9 years ago | Reply Waste of time....work on developmwnt.

Replying to X