ISLAMABAD, 25 June — President Pervez Musharraf will consult Kashmiri leaders on June 28 on his upcoming summit talks in India on July 14-16, the official Pakistan television PTV reported yesterday.
Leaders of Azad Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and expatriate Kashmiris have been invited for consultations, the television said.
APHC is an umbrella organization of Kashmiri groups fighting for the independence of the Indian-administered part of Kashmir.
Gen. Musharraf, 58, who assumed the presidency last Wednesday, presumably to strengthen his negotiating position at the summit, has scheduled similar consultations with political leaders for June 27.
The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy will meet a day earlier to decide whether to attend the meeting or not. Some leaders of its two main constituents — the Pakistan Muslim League of exiled Premier Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan People’s Party of Benazir Bhutto have spoken out against attending.
Meanwhile, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has declined the invitation to attend the June 27 meeting.
An official announcement said Musharraf had extended invitation to 24 leading politicians, including ARD chief Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, PPP Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Aftab Sheikh, former President Farooq Leghari, veteran Sindhi politicians Pir Pagara and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and the head of Junejo faction of Muslim League Hamid Nasir Chattha.
Sources said both the PPP and the MQM had not yet decided whether to accept or turn down the offer. PPP insiders, however, said party leader Benazir Bhutto appeared to be in favor of sending Amin Fahim to talks.
She believed that the PPP may have differences with the military regime, but the door for negotiations should never be closed.
The party advocates talks with India. It believes parleys can bring about tangible results and ease tensions. Benazir, living in exile since long, has been in touch with her party leaders at home.
In the case of MQM, its leader Aftab Sheikh is awaiting a nod from party chief Altaf Hussain to participate in the conference.
The Muslim League faction led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has not been invited.
The PML(N) leaders at a meeting Saturday night made it clear they are averse to holding talks with government.
Pro-Sharif PML has severely criticized Musharraf’s decision to become president terming it illegal and unconstitutional.
The party has also criticized the country’s chief justice for administering oath to Musharraf and has sought his resignation.
