'APHC should also talk to Indian govt after Pak visit'

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asked the leaders of the moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference group to hold talks with the government of India as well, after their return from Pakistan.

A seven-member delegation of the moderate APHC led by chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq is currently in Pakistan holding talks with their leadership.

"After their return, they should also talk to the Indian leadership. No one has put any condition for talks," Omar said, adding, "Separatists should put their agenda before the people and accordingly initiate dialogue with the Indian government unconditionally to work out solution to Jammu and Kashmir centric political issues acceptable to all stakeholders."

The chief minister said, "When it is a universal truth that terrorism has achieved nothing and dialogue is only way forward to settle problems, the other separatist group should also get involved in talks to address complex issues for the good of general public and peace and prosperity in the state."

Omar was speaking at a function after inaugurating 76 metre long old heritage Zainakadal Bridge after its restoration for pedestrian and light vehicles.

The APHC delegation is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Islamabad. However, the visit has evoked negative reactions from the hard-line APHC group led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and senior separatists of the moderate group, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Naeem Ahmad Khan.

Geelani had said that 'since Pakistan is going to polls, the visit would not be fruitful'.

Shabir Ahmad Shah in a statement said that he had not been consulted by the leaders of the group. Mirwaiz, however, projected the visit as 'an important event crucial to the resolution of the Kashmir issue'.