NEWS

Rediff.com » News

JKLF agrees for talks with PM
By Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar
February 15, 2006 16:27 IST

Pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yassin Malik on Wednesday accepted the Central government's invitation to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on February 17.

Addressing a media conference in Srinagar at the end the outfit's advisory council and working committee meeting, Malik said, "I shall call on the Indian prime minister. Let us see what he has to offer us."

Complete Coverage: Peace Talks

The JKLF chief said it was in the national interest of both India and Pakistan to engage Kashmiri people in the decision making process.

"While there is optimism in both India and Pakistan about the dialogue process, there is no such optimism anywhere in Kashmir. I want the dialogue process to be genuine and result oriented. It should not just be a photo opportunity session like earlier invitations of this kind," Malik said.

He wanted only ideological leaders of the movement, including militant leaders, to be involved in the dialogue process.

"We will give the Indian prime minister a dialogue format. Our dialogue with him shall be totally transparent," he added. 

Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar
© 2024 Rediff.com