The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, which has been pressing for a visit to Pakistan before holding talks with the Centre, on Monday alleged that the government is delaying passports of its leaders and mentioning Pakistan as a barred country in their documents.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been issued a passport after one year, which has a validity of three months and cannot be used for travel to Pakistan, former Hurriyat chairman Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari said in Srinagar.
"We have followed the proper method in applying for passports, but it seems the government is not interested in allowing the visit," he said referring to Home Minister Shivraj Patil's statement that the Centre will consider letting Hurriyat leaders visit Pakistan if they follow the proper method.
"The Home Minister said there are no curbs on visiting Pakistan. Then we should be allowed to go," he said.
Ansari reiterated that a visit to Pakistan is must before the peace process can be restarted. Justifying the demand, he said, "We also have to talk to the leadership on the other side of the Line of Control before we proceed further with the Centre."
Pakistan has also said that a solution to the Kashmir issue is not possible without taking the Kashmiri leadership into confidence, he added.
Ansari said the Hurriyat is in favour of a dialogue between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership for a peaceful and long-lasting solution of the Kashmir issue. "We are ready for talks as always... but we have to take all concerned along on the path to peace," Ansari said.
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