APHC-India talks a conspiracy: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: The chairman of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Syed Ali Shah Gilani on Thursday called talks between Kashmiri leaders and Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani a conspiracy.

In an interview with a TV channel, he said these talks would provide India with a pretext to declare Kashmir its internal issue when it would start dialogue with Pakistan next month.

He said the APHC had shown flexibility by accepting tripartite dialogue for the solution of the Kashmir issue and would accept talks offer by India only when the India-Pakistan dialogue would start. He said the APHC had given a strike call on January 26 – Republic Day of India.

Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik on Thursday said that dialogue was the only way to resolve the Kashmir dispute. He said that his party was in favour of a negotiated settlement. Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Chairman Shabbir Ahmad Shah welcomed the thaw in Pakistan-India relations and emphasized that peace could not return to the region unless the Kashmir issue was resolved.

Meanwhile, an APHC delegation held a meeting with British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant in Muzzafarabad on Thursday.

The delegation, consisting of Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Prof Nazir Ahmed Shawl and Ishtiaq Hameed discussed the latest situation in Held Kashmir with Mr Grant.

APHC delegation meets British high commissioner: A delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Azad Kashmir met with British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant on Thursday.

The delegation consisting of APHC Convener Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Professor Nazir Ahmed Shawl and Ishtiaq Hameed discussed the latest happenings in Held Kashmir with Mr Grant.

The delegation pressed for the restoration of all fundamental freedoms to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They also told Mr Grant that the Indian authorities had not allowed APHC Chairman Syed Ali Gilani to go for Haj.

They asked Mr Grant to press India for the withdrawal of laws like POTA, release of Kashmiri prisoners and for bringing an end to the ongoing Indian state terrorism in Held Kashmir. —Agencies

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