Chairman of the moderate separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, on his way to the quake-hit areas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on Saturday said his group will discuss self-governance, demilitarisation and other proposals with the regions leaders.
Talking to reporters in Srinagar before leaving for New Delhi, the Mirwaiz said, "We will discuss self-rule for united Kashmir and other proposals like demilitarisation with the Pakistan leaders during our visit. It is our belief that self-rule is not an alternative, but it could be the beginning for resolving the Kashmir dispute."
The moderate APHC group led by the Mirwaiz Omar Farooq comprises two other members, former APHC chairman professor Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone of Peoples Conference.
"We will express solidarity with our brothers in Azad Kashmir whose lives have been ravaged by the October 8 quake. We are also carrying some relief for them," the Mirwaiz said.
He said they will also be talking to the militant commanders of the United Jehad Council in Muzaffarabad. "It is important to speak to them to collectively seek a solution of the Kashmir problem," he said.
Asked about their next round of talks with the Indian leaders, he said, "We have been assured by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that the government would be reviewing cases of persons detained under the Public Safety Act. I am sure such persons would be released before we engage in the next round of talks with the Indian leadership," he said.
