Centre can't stop us, say separatists

Despite upcoming Indo-Pak NSA-level talks appearing to be on the verge of being aborted over Kashmiri separatist leaders holding deliberations with Pakistan, Hurriyat leaders Friday said New Delhi’s “unrealistic approach” can’t stop them from going ahead.

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, according to his spokesman Ayaz Akbar, is scheduled to meet Aziz on August 24 at 9:30 am at Pakistan house, Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
“I got a call from Pakistan High Commissioner around 6:30 pm today. He informed that Geelani sahib’s meeting has been scheduled with Sartaj Aziz sahib on August 24 at 9:30 am at Pakistan House, Tilak Marg. Geelani sahib will be flying to New Delhi in an early morning flight on August 24,” Akbar told Deccan Herald.

“We will go ahead with the talks and Geelani sahib is going to convey an important message for Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif through Aziz,” he said and added that talks between Aziz and Indian NSA Ajit Doval should go on and if India cancels them that would be their “unrealistic approach.”

Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he is meeting Aziz on Sunday after the reception hosted for him at Pakistan House.

“I and my other colleagues will be flying to Delhi on Sunday and will meet Pakistan NSA same evening,” he said, claimed that confusion created on their meeting with Aziz was the result “Indian media’s sensationalism.”

Mirwaiz rejected New Delhi’s stand that Kashmiris have no role in the dialogue process. He termed the attitude of the government of India of putting conditions before the talks as unrealistic.