Sartaj Aziz to meet Hurriyat leaders in New Delhi

Pakistan's national security advisor Sartaj Aziz will meet Hurriyat Conference leaders during the two-day meeting of the National Security Advisors (NSA) of the two countries in New Delhi beginning on Sunday, a top official said.

Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah made the announcement during the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Radio Pakistan reported.

The Hurriyat leaders have been invited to attend the reception on Sunday being hosted by Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi Abdul Basit in honour of Aziz and his delegation.

Khalilullah said Pakistan expects India to allow the leaders to meet Aziz.

During the NSA meet, Pakistan will raise all bilateral issues with India, including Kashmir, the spokesman said.

He said Pakistani and Indian authorities were in contact to finalise the agenda for the talks.

Khalilullah said there were serious issues between the two countries and negotiations were necessary for resolving them. Pakistan wishes to maintain good relations with all its neighbouring countries which requires a peaceful atmosphere, he observed.