Jammu, September 15
After Pakistan has done a lot of lobbying abroad on the Kashmir issue, now it is the turn of Kashmiri leaders, including Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and the PDP chairman Mufti Sayeed, to put forth their viewpoint and clear the misgivings by visiting various countries.

Mr Azad is slated to address leaders of the European Union at Brussels next week when he will explain his point of view on the Kashmir problem in detail.

He is expected to give details of the non-stop Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir despite the efforts of India to defuse the situation by holding roundtable conferences with separatists and those holding other opinions. He might also bring to their notice the confidence-building measures introduced by India.

Mr Azad is also scheduled to address an Islamic conference in New York where too he is likely to draw the attention of the participants towards the un-Islamic actions of Pakistan that was indulging in bloodshed in Kashmir by aiding terrorists.

On the other hand, the PDP leader and a former Chief Minister, Mufti Sayeed, has been invited by the United Nations General Assembly next month to speak on his party’s proposal of introducing “self-rule” in Jammu and Kashmir.

Before the Mufti, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to address the UN General Assembly next week when he is most likely highlight the unending Pakistan-sponsored terrorism not only in J&K, but elsewhere in the country.

Although the PDP was a coalition partner of Mr Azad, but the latter did not hesitate recently to describe the demand as “selfish rule” and not self-rule. Mr Azad’s views on the issue were totally opposite of his coalition partner. He said J&K was already enjoying self-rule as the members of the Assembly were duly elected by the people during the elections in 2002 which were also described by foreign diplomats as “fair”.

Meanwhile, a fact-finding team of the European Union is visiting Kashmir next week to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the state, including its economic growth. The team will also meet functionaries of the state government and separatist leaders.

The chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Moulvi Omar Farooq, is planning to visit Ireland to study the formula that has helped pacify the long-drawn Irish unrest. However, he is waiting for clearance from the centre for his visit abroad.

Srinagar, September 15
Breakaway Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Ahmad Shah were placed under house arrest while JKLF, Chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik was arrested along with 20 others in the valley today.

Geelani, was placed under house arrest in his Hyderpora house since early this morning, sources said.

A police officer informed Geelani that he had been placed under house arrest and that he could not move out until further orders.

He was scheduled to lead a demonstration against the alleged atrocities by counter-insurgents working with the security forces.

Shah was scheduled to lead a peaceful demonstration against the statement of Pope Benedict XVI.

A report from Baramula said Yaseen Malik and 20 others were arrested at Handwara in Kupwara this afternoon, sources said.

Malik was addressing a public meeting when the police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. A few people reportedly received minor injuries. Later, Malik and 20 others were detained. — UNI

Srinagar, September 15
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday reconstituted its Political Affairs Committee, the highest decision-making body in the party.

PDP has also nominated two new general secretaries and a political secretary to the party president.

A spokesman for the party said members of the newly constituted committee are Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Ms Mehbooba Mufti and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, the sitting ministers, Mr Tariq Hameed Qarrah, and Mr Abdul Aziz Zargar. Other members included former minister, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir and a former MLA, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, apart from Sardar Rangil Singh, Mr Ved Mahajan, Mr Nissar Ahmad Khan and Mr Ramesh Mottan.

The party has nominated four special invitees to the committee. They include Mohammad Dillawar Mir, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, Sardar Trilok Singh Bajwa and Master Tassaduq Hussain.

PDP also nominated Dhaman Bhasin as another general secretary for Jammu province while Mr Nizam-ud-Din Bhat has been nominated as general secretary for the Kashmir province.

Peerzada Mansoor Hussain has been nominated political secretary to the party president.

Syed Basharat Bukhari will continue as the PDP spokesman in addition to the Youth Wing president.

Ms Shanti Devi will continue to be the in charge, Women’s Wing of the party.