Srinagar, December 20
The Pakistan government has denied visa to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. She was to attend a two-day conference in Islamabad from December 21.

Mehbooba was to leave on December 19 or 20, but denial of visa has come as a shock to her and many others. She told The Tribune that organisers of the event had given assurance that they would take care of everything, including visa, “but its denial has been a surprise”. “I do not know the exact reason behind the decision as I was not in the picture. It was between the organisers and the Pakistan High Commission,” she said. She, however, added that internal situation in Pakistan could be the reason.

She said she had been to Pakistan twice, first in 2007 and then in 2008, to attend the Pugwash Conference. “If the Pakistan government had no problem with me then, why will they have now,” she said, when asked if there could be more to it. The Pugwash Conference, which has seen participation of state leaders of all hues in the past, was not held this year due to worsening law and order situation in the country.

The PDP’s political stand on the Kashmir issue is considered most sympathetic to Pakistani concerns among all mainstream parties and has been a major vote-catcher for the party.

However, government sources said denial of visa to Mehbooba reflected the Pakistan government’s “stand” that they would not give Kashmiri leaders a chance to raise the issue on its soil.