Jamaat-e-Islami joins Geelani-led APHC

The Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday decided to join the Syed Ali Shah Geelani faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

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The Jamaat, which had stayed neutral as the Geelani and Maulana Abbas Ansari factions of the APHC fought for supremacy in Kashmir, has also authorised Geelani to form a "separate political party for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute."

While this is a setback to the Ansari group, which had recently made efforts to bring Geelani back into the APHC fold, it also can damage the peace talks between Kashmiri separatists and New Delhi. The high-profile dialogue was being led by the Ansari group.

Just last week, senior Jamaat-e-Islami leaders had prevented Geelani from floating his own party after dissociating himself from the Jamaat.

"The central body of the Jamaat has allowed Geelani to form a new party for finding a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute. The Jamaat has also decided to join the APHC led by Geelani and will soon nominate a member to represent the party in the APHC," a spokesman said.