Search the Internet          Tips

Hurriyat to be invited to Musharraf's reception

K J M Varma in Islamabad

Despite India's objection, Pakistan will invite leaders of the separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference to a reception to be hosted for President Pervez Musharraf by its high commission in New Delhi on July 14.

But foreign office spokesman Riaz Mohammad Khan sought to explain away the invitation by pointing out that Hurriyat leaders had been invited in the past on occasions such as Pakistan's National Day.

"In the same tradition, an invitation will be extended" to them, he told reporters in Islamabad on Friday.

Khan said no formal invitation had been extended to the Hurriyat as Musharraf's programme has not yet been finalised.

India has expressed reservations about the general meeting Hurriyat leaders during his visit, saying the conglomerate of 23 separatist organisations has no role to play during the Musharraf-Vajpayee summit.

But Gen Musharraf, in a letter to Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat on Wednesday, said he was looking forward to meeting him during his visit to India.

PTI

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report