Hurriyat’s Geelani writes ‘secret’ letter to Sharif

Published September 3, 2015
Geelani was slated to have a one-to-one conversation with Pakistan’s NSA Sartaj Aziz if the latter came for the talks.—AP/File
Geelani was slated to have a one-to-one conversation with Pakistan’s NSA Sartaj Aziz if the latter came for the talks.—AP/File

NEW DELHI: Senior Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has written a `secret’ letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, local reports said on Wednesday, setting off speculation whether the veteran hardliner has offered Islamabad a way out of the impasse in talks with India.

Reports said a three-member delegation from the Hurriyat Conference belonging to the Geelani faction met Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit on Tuesday and handed over a letter for Nawaz Sharif.

Also read: Kashmiri leaders irked by omission of Kashmir from Ufa statement

“We handed over Geelani sahab’s letter for PM Sharif to the officials at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,” Ayaz Akbar, spokesperson for the Hurriyat Conference, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Geelani’s top aides — Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad — met Mr Basit at his office and stayed there for more than an hour.

“The letter is confidential but highly important,” Akbar told IANS.

“Officials at the high commission assured us that the letter will be dispatched to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Wednesday,” Akbar said.

This was the first time Hurriyat members met the Pakistani envoy after the National Security Adviser (NSA)-level talks in New Delhi were called off by Pakistan. Geelani was slated to have a one-to-one conversation with Pakistan’s NSA Sartaj Aziz if the latter came for the talks.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...