Javedekar to represent Indian Govt. at Pakistan Day celebration

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar will represent the Indian Government at the Pakistan Day function at the Pakistan High Commission here this evening.

The development comes after Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh said that he might not be able to attend the function.

"I did receive an invitation for the event at a personal level. But due to my pre-occupations, I may not be able to attend the function," Singh told ANI.

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq among others have been invited to attend the 'Pakistan Day' function in the national capital.

Eyebrows have always been raised whenever Pakistan has invited separatist leaders for the events.

Minister of State for External Affairs General (Retd.) V.K. Singh had represented the government at the Pakistan National Day reception last year.

Meanwhile, members of the Asiya Andrabi-led separatist outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM) today hoisted Pakistani flags at several places in Srinagar.

The DeM has been hoisting Pakistani flags every year on Pakistan Day and on Pakistan's Independence Day in the valley.

Last year, India had cancelled the Foreign Secretary-level talks with the Asian neighbour after Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit met the Kashmiri separatists ahead of the planned meet.