Search the Internet          Tips

We continue to support
J&K struggle: Musharraf

Josy Joseph & Onkar Singh in New Delhi

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf, in his first interaction with the media after arriving in Delhi on Saturday morning, said Pakistan would not come under any pressure on the Kashmir issue and would continue to offer moral and political support to the Kashmir struggle.

Speaking to reporters at the Pakistan House after a 35-minute closed-door meeting with the Hurriyat Conference, Musharraf said it would be his endeavour to find a mechanism to solve the Kashmir issue.

"Main kisi dabav mein aakar koi samjhutha nahin karoonga. I appreciate the struggle for self-determination in the Valley and I have discussed the matter with the Hurriyat leaders," Musharraf said.

He refused to comment any further and told reporters that he would speak to them after the Agra summit on Sunday.

Hurriyat chairman Professor Abdul Gani Bhat said the meeting was "fruitful and President Musharraf accepted the fact that we are legitimate representatives of Kashmiri people."

Before his interaction with the Hurriyat, the general met a group of Indian intellectuals. Former prime minister V P Singh was present at this meeting and the Government of India was represented by Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Vivek Katju.

From the Left parties, both the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had their top rung leaders at the meeting.

Samajwadi Party's Amar Singh and middle-rung functionaries of the Congress were also in attendance.

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report