Separatists should not choose to meet only Pak High Commissioner: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday said separatists should not choose to meet only the Pakistan High Commissioner and felt that the all-party delegation's visit was "fruitful" though it did not give the desired result.

Speaking to reporters, he said the delegation "tried to reach out to everyone" but it is the government that has to identify the stakeholders.

Azad said the talks have not given "desired results" but efforts have been made and remained fruitful.

"The separatists also should not choose to meet Pakistan High Commissioner only. Everyone wants to find a solution to the Kashmir issue. Everyone in the country is worried about the situation," Azad said, a day after Hurriyat leaders rebuffed attempts by some MPs to hold talks with them.

The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said that Congress wants that the door for talks should be kept open.

"Some friends tried to reach out to Hurriyat. At some places they succeeded, at some they did not," Azad said.

He said the visit is not yet complete and the meetings are going on.

The all-party delegation which wrapped its Srinagar-leg of the two-day visit arrived here in the afternoon.

On the issue of Kashmiri Pandits, Azad said, "In the three round table conferences they participated. Why they are not coming is a surprise. The suggestions made by them were addressed then. They could have come today also.... Time is no concern when Parliament plans to discuss a issue."

The Kashmiri Pandits have refused to meet the all-party delegation saying the time given to them is very less.

"Kashmiri people are suffering. Nothing is working. We want peace to come to the Valley. It was a fruitful visit where good suggestions were received," he said.