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'No place
for Hurriyat in parleys' NEW DELHI, May 23: In a surprise move in search of peace in Jammu and Kashmir, India today invited for talks Pakistan military ruler General Pervez Musharraf after shunning him for long and simultaneously called off the six-month long unilateral ceasefire. The new two-pronged initiative was announced after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) here presided over by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who consulted Congress president Sonia Gandhi and key allies in the ruling coalition. The invitation to Musharraf to visit India at his early convenience was in pursuance of the Lahore Declaration and the Shimla Agreement, an official statement said tonight. Explaining the decision to call off the ceasefire, the Government said various terrorist groups and organisations, mostly foreign, had hindered the restoration of peace and inflicted misery upon the people of the State during the suspension of operations by the security forces. At the same time the Government said the process of dialogue with various groups and people in the State initiated by the Prime Minister under K C Pant would continue. The invitation to "all sections" in the State to join this dialogue was reiterated. On the invitation to Musharraf, with whom India has had no high-level political contacts since he seized power in October 1999, was described as another instance of New Delhi offering the hand of friendship, reconciliation, cooperation and peace to Pakistan in the expectation "that this opportunity shall be positively and purposefully utilised" by Islamabad. The CCS meeting was attended among others by Home Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Defence and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Pant, Army Chief General S Padmanabhan and top security and intelligence officials. Asked about the parameters for the summit level talks, Singh said the existing framework for composite dialogue has eight items including Kashmir in it. "That can be a starting point." Singh made it clear that Hurriyat had no place in the parleys. On the Hurriyat’s demand for its team being given clearance to travel to Pakistan, he said the question did not arise as the Government’s invitation was to Musharraf. Singh asserted that India’s stand on terrorism remained undiluted and it would continue its fight against this menace relentlessly. On Musharraf’s visit, Singh said a formal invitation would be delivered shortly. "It is our expectation that the invitation will be accepted at the earliest," he said adding that the Pakistani ruler had gone on record several times expressing Islamabad’s readiness to hold talks with India at any time, any place, any level. Referring to the ceasefire, which had come into effect in November last year, Singh said "this phase is now over....Hereafter security forces shall take such action against terrorists as they judge best." He said the whole process of non-initiation of combat operation had not been "sufficiently appreciated" and there was no need for going beyond the six-month period. The security forces would continue to exercise maximum care and restraint to ensure no harassment was caused to the civilian population, he said. Singh, who had visited J and K along with Advani last week to assess the ground situation, said terrorism, particularly in the last three months, had been "considerably curtailed". The Minister denied there was a sudden change in Government’s stand on terrorism or having talks with Musharraf. "Our stand is not contradictory. It is in fact complementary," he said observing that the totality of it reinforced New Delhi’s position against terrorism and towards restoring lasting peace and normalcy in J and K. He said the restraint shown by both India and Pakistan on the Line of Control after announcement of the Ramzan ceasefire was "satisfactory". Text of Govt statement after CCS meet In November last, on the eve of Ramzan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced non-initiation of combat operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. This was subsequently extended. It has now lasted for six months. It was expected that various terrorist groups and organisations, mostly foreign, would see reason, and recognising the imperatives of peace, dialogue and cooperation shun violence. Regrettably, they have not. This phase, therefore, is now over. These terrorist groups have hindered the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir and have inflicted misery upon the people of the State. Hereafter, security forces shall take action against terrorists as they judge best. They will, in the process, continue to exercise maximum care that no harassment is caused to the civilian population. A gratifying feature of these last six months has been relative peace along the LoC on account of restraint exercised by both sides. There has also been considerable lowering of cross LoC exchange of fire. In this regard, the Government has decided that it will continue to observe maximum restraint as hitherto. The process of dialogue initiated by the Prime Minister under Shri K C Pant shall continue unhindered. Our invitation to all sections of J&K to join this dialogue is reiterated. India’s commitment to peace, dialogue and cooperative co-existence with Pakistan remains unaltered. Prime Minister Vajapyee had set in motion a peace process by his historic and path breaking visit to Lahore in early 1999. In pursuance of Lahore Declaration and the Shimla Agreement, Prime Minister Vajpayee has decided to invite General Pervez Musharraf, the Chief Executive of Pakistan to visit India at his early convenience. A formal invitation will be delivered shortly. India is yet again offering the hand of friendship, reconciliation, cooperation and peace to Pakistan, in the expectation that this opportunity shall be positively and purposefully utilised by them. (PTI) |
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Discussion on Pant’s
letter NEW DELHI, May 23: The All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) today rejected Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) chief Shabir Shah’s offer of talks on evolving a consensus for holding negotiations with the Centre. "There is no need to respond to Shabir Shah’s invitation," senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone told UNI here. Mr Lone said Mr Shah has no locus standi. "The APHC is the only true representative of the people of the State," he added. Mr Shah had invited the APHC for a discussion to reach a consensus and seek approval of his response to the offer of talks from the Centre’s chief negotiator for talks with Kashmiri groups, Mr K C Pant. Earlier, the JKDFP chief had sought some clarifications from Mr Pant on the nature of the invitation extended by the centre for a dialogue with various groups in Kashmir. In his reply, the Centre’s designated interlocutor invited Mr Shah to sit across the table where the needed clarifications could be provided. Mr Pant had also pointed out that by talking to various groups, he wanted to have a comprehensive idea of the aspirations of all sections. Mr Shah had sent a letter to separatist alliance chief Abdul Gani Bhat, along with a copy of Mr Pant’s letter. "We had explained to Mr Shah that India is not sincere in its offer. But still he went ahead and responded to the Centre’s offer," Mr Lone said. "When the conglomerate threw out Shabir Shah, there was a doubt in the minds of the people that whether it was a right move. However, with Mr Shah’s latest moves, the Hurriyat stands vindicated," he added. Mr Lone reiterated that the long-standing Kashmir imbroglio could only be resolved through tripartite talks involving India, Pakistan and Kashmiris. If the Centre was sincere in its efforts to bring about peace in the strife-torn state, it would have allowed the five-member Hurriyat delegation to visit Pakistan to hold talks with the military Government and the leaders of various militant outfits there, the separatist leader said. Asked about the Centre’s offer that it would allow the Hurriyat leaders to visit Islamabad provided hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani was dropped from the delegation, Mr Lone said it was the prerogative of the APHC and not the Centre to decide about the team. "We had not received any communication from the Government of India on its offer to allow the Hurriyat delegation sans Mr Geelani," he added. The APHC’s stand on the Kashmir issue is clear, the Hurriyat leader said adding "we want the dispute should be resolved once for all and for that Pakistan’s involvement in negotiations is very important." About the proposed extension of truce in the troubled State, Mr Lone said that the ceasefire was a farce. "It is a big fraud on Kashmiris... The offensive is on, custodial killings continue and crackdowns have further intensified during the period." "The Centre has referred the truce as Non Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO), even that definition is not correct. The atrocities are continuing," he added. About his earlier statement that foreign militants have no role to play in resolving the Kashmir problem, Mr Lone said, "I was misquoted.... What I had said was that foreigners are only the supporters of Kashmiris in their freedom struggle. The movement belongs to us. Once the issue is settled, they would return to their native countries". Mr Lone is here to meet a delegation of American Congressional interns. (UNI) |
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US, others hail Indian
invitation to Musharraf SRINAGAR, May 23: Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah today said the Centre’s decision to invite Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf for talks was his personal success. "The peace process set in motion by New Delhi will not succeed without involving Pakistan," Shah told PTI. The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party chief said he had demanded involvement of Pakistan in the dialogue when he wrote to Government’s interlocutor K C Pant in response to his invitation for talks. The decision to invite Musharraf was a welcome step, Shah said, adding he considered it as his "personal success". On the calling off the ceasefire, he said "it will make no difference as it does not exist on the ground." Hurriyat Conference chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat welcomed Centre’s invitation to Pervez Musharraf for talks. Regarding withdrawal of cease-fire, he said ‘it was never in force’. He said a meeting of Hurriyat Conference would be held shortly to chalk out future course of action. Washington, the United States today welcomed Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s invitation to Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf for talks in New Delhi. State Department spokesman Phil Reeker said "we have just seen press reports about this development. We applaud India’s invitation to Gen Musharraf to come for talks." "We have encouraged both the countries to engage in a process of dialogue. They have an opportunity to make real progress toward reduction of tensions and resolution of their differences through peaceful means," he said. Reeker said "we continue to believe that it is important for all sides in Kashmir to exercise restraint and to reduce the violence." In Islamabad, Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) today cautioned Pakistan military ruler Gen Parvez Musharraf against accepting the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for talks in New Delhi saying Islamabad "should not get into India’s peace trap." Reacting to the Indian invitation, an LeT spokesman, Yahya Mujaheedeen said " Pakistan should not get into peace trap laid by India." Another militant organisation Hizbul Mujahideen, in its reaction, said the calling off ceasefire by India "is yet another farce as the six-month long ceasefire has not been seriously implemented in the past." Hizbul spokesman Salim, however, did not comment on the Vajpayee’s invitation to Musharraf to visit Delhi for talks. In New Delhi, Government’s interlocutor on Kashmir K C Pant tonight said the Centre’s decision to call off the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir would not affect the on-going dialogue process with Kashmiri groups. "The process of dialogue with Kashmiri groups, including the secessionist leaders, for restoration of peace in the State will continue." Pant told PTI when asked to comment on Government’s decision. Pant, who will soon visit the State, is expected to hold talks with Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah and former Chief Minister of the State G M Shah. (Agencies) |
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Strike in Srinagar against Aziz’s arrest SRINAGAR, May 23: Normal life was disrupted in parts of Srinagar this afternoon as police fired teargas shells and used batons to disperse agitated activists of pro-Pakistan Jammu and Kashmir People’s League, a constituent of Hurriyat Conference, who enforced a snap strike against the alleged arrest of their leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his return from Pakistan. The league activists took to streets at various places after they were turned back from Srinagar Airport where they had gone to receive Sheikh Aziz in a fleet of over 60 vehicles. Some of them indulged in stone pelting on shops, business establishments and public and private transport to enforce a snap strike, official sources said. Eleven activists of the party, including Parvaiz Ahmad Dar and Mohammad Maqbool, were detained and lodged in Kothibagh police station after they clashed with police at Lal Chowk and adjoining areas, the sources said. Police reacted a little late exercising restraint initially as the protesters were on top of the vehicle cavalcade and indulged in stone pelting, they said. However, as reinforcements reached the scene, police fired teargas shells and used batons to disperse the slogan-shouting activists of Peoples’ League at Lal Chowk, Kokerbazar, Ghanta Ghar, Badshah Chowk and Exchange Road, they said, adding no one was hurt in the police action. Police maintained Aziz was not arrested but was stopped to complete some formalities at Srinagar Airport. Aziz returned to New Delhi on May 21 after a three-week stay in Pakistan and flew in here today. Supporters of his party and activists of Hurriyat Conference had gone to the airport to receive him. Aziz, one of the five Hurriyat leaders named by its chairman Abdul Gani Bhat to visit Pakistan prior to Hurriyat’s participation in the dialogue with New Delhi, had gone to Pakistan to attend the marriage of his nephew. (PTI) |
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Decision on Chief of
Defence Staff soon NEW DELHI, May 23: Putting at rest speculation over Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra being divested of the charge of National Security Advisor (NSA), Government today said he would continue to hold dual responsibility till the new National Security Council (NSC) was firmly in place. A decision on appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to serve as a single point military adviser to the Government on strategic forces would be "taken soon" after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee holds consultations with various political parties, Home Minister L K Advani told reporters. Releasing the 135-page report of the Group of Ministers on national security, Advani said barring the creation of the CDS, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has accepted all the other 24 recommendations. "The NSC is still in a formative stage. The Prime Minister is in charge of NSC and it is best at this stage that Principal Secretary continues as the NSA," Defence Minister Jaswant Singh said adding whenever NSC becomes fully functional, the two posts would be separated. He said at present there were certain administrative and functional difficulties in doing so. On Navy Chief Admiral Sushil Kumar withdrawing from the race for CDS, Singh clarified that the Admiral, who was chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, had stepped aside to ensure better implementation of the GoM’s recommendations. Singh said the Navy Chief had written a letter in this regard in an act which was "truly democratic" and not because of deferment of a decision on CDS. "I have conveyed my appreciation to him". Denying that Kumar had opted out following opposition by the air force, Singh said "services do not oppose. They have a right to convey their views to the Government....Once a decision is taken by the Government, they have to implement it". The GoM has recommended that the CDS should be a four-star officer drawn from one of the three services in rotation and exercise administrative control over nuclear weapons. Besides Advani and Singh, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, who was also member of the GoM, was present at the press conference. A total of 30 pages dealing with revamp of the intelligence system in the Kargil conflict and related inputs have been deleted due to security considerations from the report released to the press. Outlining a comprehensive systemic overhaul of the country’s security and intelligence apparatus, the report has proposed a holistic 15-20 year defence perspective plan and creation of a joint services Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Progressive decentralisation of decision-making and delegation of powers to service headquarters is envisaged with the latter becoming integrated headquarters of the defence ministry rather than "attached offices". Singh said there will be no dilution in the role of Defence Secretary who will act as Principal Defence Adviser to the Defence Minister. The establishment of an Intelligence Coordination Group (ICG) and Technology Coordination Group (TCG) are among major elements recommended in the area of intelligence. The ICG will among other things oversee the functions of intelligence agencies. Defence information relations are to be revamped at headquarters with quick-responding media cells in field formations. Significantly, the GoM has approved the establishment of a new procurement system. A Special Secretary (procurement) appointed last night will head the wing which will have military and civilian officers performing special functions relating to procurement. The GoM has also approved creation of a defence staff which will be a joint staff comprising service officers, civil servants, foreign service officers, scientific personnel and financial experts. "This will thus be a fully integrated structure within Defence Ministry," Singh said. A group chaired by Secretary (defence, finance), is being established to examine the implementation of existing delegations of financial powers to the service headquarters and proposals for their enhancement over the next 12 months. Singh said all defence-related recommendations of the GoM would be implemented by the year end. Advani said the new structures anticipate "current and emerging security threats"— nuclear missiles, cyber information, technology innovation and, not the least, international terrorism, low intensity conflict and proxy war. "These are new and innovative organisational platforms capable of flexible responses and not just upgradation of yesterday’s systems," he said. Participation of key political players, NSA, Cabinet Secretary, the services, para-military, police and intelligence chiefs, and the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government in the entire exercise ensured the necessary political will, financial commitment and operational backup to secure radical systemic changes, he said. The GoM had been set up in April, 2000 to review the national security system in its entirety and in particular to consider the recommendations of the Kargil review committee and formulate specific proposals for implementation. The GoM set up four task forces on intelligence apparatus, internal security, border management and management of defence, all multi-disciplinary in character. The GoM has recommended that border management be re-fashioned on a one-border-one-force principle so as to obviate problems of conflict in command and control and lack of accountability from a multiplicity of forces on the same border. (PTI) |
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Aziz’s statement leads to infighting within Hurriyat NEW DELHI, May 23: Sharp differences have surfaced again in the secessionist Hurriyat Conference over backing the demand for accession of Kashmir to Pakistan. After its executive member, Sheikh Aziz, on a personal visit to Pakistan, went public propagating accession to Pakistan, former chairman of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said "these can be his personal remarks and Hurriyat’s agenda is not confined to this." He said all the three options — accession with India or Pakistan or independence — were open for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, Aziz, who returned from Pakistan after meeting Gen Pervez Musharraf and other top-ranking officials, defended his stand that Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan was inevitable. "I have not said anything wrong. Kashmir’s fate would be completed only after it is annexed to Pakistan," Aziz told PTI on his return. This statement of Aziz further fuelled the infighting among the Hurriyat constituents and JKLF leader Javed Ahmed Mir said Aziz had been sent to Pakistan to attend a family function and not to indulge in making statements on the future of Kashmir. There was a feeling within the Hurriyat Conference that his statement might cause further setback to the possibility of its delegation visiting Pakistan for talks with Government and militant leadership to facilitate dialogue on Kashmir. The Government already has reservations on allowing the firebrand Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Aziz being part of the delegation in view of their pronounced pro-Pakistan leanings. However, after persistent pleadings by unofficial mediators, Aziz was allowed to go to Pakistan after he assured that he would refrain from pursuing a political agenda. Violation of the assurance, Hurriyat insiders said, would create further hurdles in the way of the Centre allowing a Hurriyat delegation to visit Pakistan and as a damage control measure, Hurriyat might try to replace him. Apparently unhappy over Aziz’s stand, another prominent secessionist leader Shabir Shah, who is no longer with the Hurriyat, said "this is an internal matter of the conglomerate, but if they feel that he had exceeded his brief by making such statements, then action should be taken." However, he said Aziz’s statement was a "headache of Hurriyat" and added "for me and my party all options that can bring peace in the southeast Asian region are open." Founder member of JKLF and hijacker of Indian Airlines plane in 1971, Hashim Qureshi termed Aziz’s statement as a "betrayal of Kashmiris" and favoured his immediate dismissal from the conference. "One who pursues a personal agenda rather than stand for the sentiments of the people has no moral right to represent even one per cent of the Kashmiri population," Qureshi added. (PTI) |
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Reformed militants favour talk SRINAGAR, May 23: A new political outfit Jammu and Kashmir Jamiat-u-Saualiheen, launched by former militants who have eschewed violence, today urged India, Pakistan and Hurriyat Conference to enter into a "meaningful dialogue" for resolution of the Kashmir issue. "No headway is possible unless India and Pakistan set in motion a process of Insanayat and Diyanatdari (humanity and honesty)," the outfit’s chairman Pir Giasuddin told a press conference here. The outfit would work towards bringing together leaders of the two countries to resolve the Kashmir issue, Giasuddin, who is also former ‘chief military advisor’ of radical Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen and ‘deputy chief commander’ of Islamic Jung, said. Replying to questions, he said "gun is no solution to the issue. We have to enter into a dialogue for resolution of the issue and why not begin it just now." Asked what message he had for the youth taking the path of gun, Giasuddin said "the gun will disappear automatically when the issue is resolved as per the wishes and aspirations of the people." He said the process of dialogue should be given preference to resolve the Kashmir issue as the Governments of India and Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir were desirous of peace and wanted a peaceful solution. "We should allow the process of dialogue to proceed smoothly and wait for the outcome of the negotiations," Giasuddin said adding "we will come to know who is sincere and who is not in resolving the issue." He appreciated the president of Jammu and Kashmir Democatic Freedom Party (JKDFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah’s acceptance of invitation for dialogue with New Delhi. However, he termed the Hurriyat’s stand that they be allowed to go to Pakistan before entering into a dialogue with the Centre as "right". "They should be allowed to go to Pakistan and meet the Government as well as militant leaders there. We, the former militant commanders, are of the opinion that India, Pakistan and militant outfits should initiate talks," he said. While stating that New Delhi should change its "rigid stand" and create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue, he said it was the "duty of Pakistan" to initiate talks with India. "All the three parties to the issue, including the Hurriyat, should be more flexible so that the process of dialogue is set in motion. "It is not right to say that the issue is between India and Pakistan. Involvement of militant leaders is equally important," Giasuddin said. To a question, he said members of Hizbul Mujahideen, Al-Burq, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen and other outfits who have undergone rigorous imprisonment and faced interrogation have formed the new organisation and "they are in touch with former militants who will be joining the organisation shortly." (PTI) |
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Militant killed, two youths kidnapped Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, May 23: Army gunned down a militant at village Suranthal in Surankot tehsil this evening while ultras last night struck in Chingus area and kidnapped two youths. Official reports said troops retaliated on being fired upon by three militants in Suranthal this evening. One militant was gunned down by army jawans while two others managed to escape towards a forest area. No casualty was reported on army side. Troops have launched a search operation in Suranthal forests for two fleeing militants. However, they couldn’t be traced and were believed to have reached their hideout. Killed militant has been identified as Abu Asgar, hailing from Gujranwalla, Pakistan and affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. Abu Asgar was an ‘area commander’ of the outfit. One AK rifle, 15 rounds, five hand grenades, a pouch and a letter head of the outfit was recovered from his possession. Meanwhile, a group of seven militants struck in village Dikyana in Chingus area of this district late last night and kidnapped two youths from their houses. Kidnapped youths have been identified as Mohd Ismail son of Chandiya Gujjar and Mohd Akram son of Mir Din. Reports said the youths were kidnapped by the militants for induction into militant ranks. Their whereabouts remained uncertain till this evening. Local police have registered a case in the kidnapping. A ninth class student Zahida Kousar was also kidnapped by her neighbour Mohd Mushtaq son of Mohd Sharief from her house in Rajdhani area of Manjakot. Manjakot police was carrying out raids to trace the girl. Local people have resented kidnapping of the girl. Surprisingly, this was third kidnapping of a girl in Manjakot by local miscreants. Police said they were making all out efforts to rescue the girl. |
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Pak says it will respond positively ISLAMABAD, May 23: Pakistan tonight said it would react positively to the invitation by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf to visit New Delhi for talks. In the first reaction to Vajpayee’s invitation to Musharraf, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Inamul Huq said "if and when the invitation is officially received, Pakistan will respond positively to it." Huq said Gen Musharraf has time and again said that Pakistan is ready for a dialogue with India. (PTI) |
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NEW DELHI, May 23: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today termed the invitation from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Gen Pervez Musharraf as a "logical step in the peace process." "This is the next logicial step in the peace process initiated by Prime Minister during Ramzan in November last year," Abdullah told PTI over phone from Srinagar. He said after all it was between India and Pakistan to resolve the dispute. "There is no role for any third party, be it a country or self-proclaimed representatives of people of Kashmir," Abdullah said in an apparent reference to the Hurriyat Conference. He expressed the hope that Gen Musharraf will indulge in a meaningful dialogue and make efforts for resolution of the dispute. The Chief Minister also hailed the Centre’s decision to continue with K C Pant as the interlocutor on Kashmir and gave a call to all such Kashmiri youths who wanted to shun the path of violence to join the national mainstream. Regretting the calling off of ceasefire, Abdullah said "we were forced to call it off as militants had increased attacks on civilians leading to more casualities." "How long could the State or the Centre Government remain a mute spectator to this," he said. The Chief Minister said the Centre had initiated the ceasefire "in good faith but unfortunately the militants continued with their subversive activities." Giving another call to Hurriyat and militants to join the peace process, Abdullah said "my door and even windows are open for all those persons who think about the better future of Kashmir." (PTI) |
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Heads need not roll for Kargil: Advani NEW DELHI, May 23: Union Home Minister L K Advani today said shortcomings in the intelligence and operational apparatus during the 1999 Kargil conflict was "not that kind of failure which calls for rolling of heads". "The system needs correction, which is sought to be done," Advani told reporters after releasing a 135-page report of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on reforming the national security system. He was replying to a question on the sort of accountability the Government had fixed after the Kargil war. Advani said "the intelligence set-up has to be refurbished to prevent lack of coordination and accountability in day to day functioning". The Home Minister said experts from the US and Britain had "praised" the report of the Subrahmanyan Committee which probed the events leading to the Kargil conflict, particularly for its "candid and frank" findings. (PTI) |
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ISLAMABAD, May 23: Pakistan’s Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf today said he was awaiting India’s positive response to his offer of talks to resolve bilateral differences including Kashmir. In a meeting with Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari, who called on Gen Musharraf here, the Chief Executive said he had already offered to hold talks with India on bilateral matters. "I am now waiting for India’s positive response." The Shahi Imam, during his 50-minute meeting with Gen Musharraf stressed on building goodwill and better relations between the two countries. He also appealed to Gen Musharraf to take positive steps for removing tension between India and Pakistan. The Shahi Imam, who is currently in Pakistan as part of track-II diplomacy by Ulemas to resolve the Kashmir problem, has already met Punjab Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Mohammad Safdar at his residence in Lahore. The Shahi Imam, who had earlier described his visit to Pakistan as private, was given official protocol at the airport on his arrival on May 21 and later lodged in a Government rest house. He avoided waiting presspersons at the airport. The Punjab Governor, during his meeting with the Imam, is said to have impressed upon him the need to find solution to all outstanding issues between the two countries. The Shahi Imam is also expected to meet Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar and some Kashmiri leaders. A delegation of ulemas headed by the chief of Jamiat-ul-Ulema Islam, Maulana Fazlur Rehman is also expected to visit India. Sources said the services of ulemas were being sought now for resolving the vexed issue of Kashmir as part of the track II diplomacy. President of Jamait-ul-Ulema Hind, Maulana Asad Madani, who recently attended the 150th anniversary of the Deoband Madrasa in Peshawar, has prevailed upon the Jamiat-i-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir to stop patronage to militant groups in the Valley. (UNI) |
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FEROZEPUR, May 23: The work on Rs 408 crore Jammu-Udhampur rail project is likely to be completed by the year end, Railway officials said here today. Nearly 80 per cent of work on the project, covering a distance of 53.2 km, through a difficult hilly terrain with as many as 21 tunnels and 158 bridges has been completed, the sources said. It included 12 km rail track between Jammu and Bajalta, which would be opened for traffic soon. The project, which started in 1982 is proposed to be extended upto Srinagar via Qazigund. (UNI) |
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