Nothing surprising in Pak embassy inviting Hurriyat leaders: NC

Asserting that there was nothing 'surprising' in Pakistan High Commission inviting separatist leaders for 'Pakistan Day' celebrations, National Conference (NC) leader Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday said that such meetings would go on till the Hurriyat exists as Islamabad considers them representatives of the state.

"This inviting of separatists from Kashmir to Delhi by the Pakistan High Commissioner for Pakistan Day has been happening every year, there is nothing surprising in it. Regarding the talks between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries, which were to take place an year back, were postponed because a day earlier the Pakistan High Commission thought it would be prudent to call the separatists, making it appear that they were consulting them before going into the talks. New Delhi rightly objected to it as it sent a very wrong signal," Kamal told ANI.

"But this is a routine affair and will go on as long as the Hurriyat is there. Pakistan has already made it clear that Umar Farooq faction of the Hurriyat is the representatives of J and K," he added.

Pakistan has invited Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to attend a function organised to commemorate 'Pakistan Day' at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on March 23.

"Umar Farooq will lead a delegation of dozens of leaders to the Pakistan High Commission following an invitation for a function on 'Pakistan Day'," said a statement issued by the Hurriyat.

The invitation comes at a time when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is expected to meet Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, on the sidelines of a SAARC ministerial meeting in Nepal on March 17.

Earlier, Sartaj Aziz had called off his visit to India after New Delhi protested against the scheduled meeting between him and the Hurriyat leaders.