Hurriyat leaders arrive in Islamabad

As All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for talks with the Pakistani leadership, President Pervez Musharraf described their visit as a recognition by both India and Pakistan of the 'disputed status' of Kashmir.

Musharraf, who left on a three-day visit to the UAE and Qatar shortly before the separatist leaders flew in by choppers from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, said Hurriyat leaders' visit was a 'very important confidence-building measure.'

Also see: 'Letting Hurriyat visit PoK a mistake'

"At the same time," he said, "it has great political significance because they have not come on Indian passports or visas issued by Pakistan. So, it is the recognition of the disputed status of Indian-held Kashmir by both the countries," Musharraf said.

"This is a great leap forward in understanding and flexibility being shown by the both sides," he said, adding this should now lead to discussion for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. "The option is open - we hope that it leads on to that."

The Hurriyat leaders were received in Islamabad by Foreign Minister of State Khusro Bakhtiar and the chairman of Pakistan's Kashmir Committee Hamid Nasir Chattha.

Two close associates of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Pakistan -- Gulam Nabi Fai and Nazir Ahmad Shal -- were also present at the heliport.

Geelani had turned down Pakistan's invitation for the visit.

Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umer Farooq described the visit as a first step in the recognition of Kashmiris as a fundamental and basic party to the Kashmir dispute.

This recognition has been made possible due to the 'tremendous sacrifices' made by the Kashmiris in their
'struggle for freedom,' he told reporters at the heliport.

"We have come here to hold talks with the government and listen to their point of view. The Hurriyat Conference supports the approach being adopted by President General Pervez Musharraf to involve the Kashmiri leadership in the dialogue process," he said.

The Hurriyat leaders will be in Islamabad till June 7 before travelling to other cities in Pakistan like Lahore and
Karachi.

They will also hold talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri and Pakistan's Kashmir Committee members.