Former confidant of Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz joins PDP in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 11 (UNI) Former confidant of Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, Yaqub Vakil today joined the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), an ally in the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Mr Vakil, who resigned as secretary to Mirwaiz in 2005, announced his decision to join the PDP here today.

PDP Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, president Mehbooba Mufti and other senior leaders welcomed him in the party.

Vakil started his political career in 1964 as an active member of Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq.

He worked as Personal Assistant, Public Relation Officer and Press secretary of late Mirwaiz till his assassination. Later, he became one of the founder members of Hurriyat Conference. For 15 years he remained secretary to Mirwaiz Omar till 2005 when he resigned from the Awami action Committee and Hurriyat Conference.

Clarifying that there was no political difference between him and AAC, he said he resigned from the party on some personal grounds.

Vakil, who was also a member of Hurriyat delegation that visited Pakistan in 2004, said ''we visited Pakistan via Srinagar-Muzaffrabad road and the opening of this road was the contribution of Mr Sayeed.'' ''Repealing of POTA, rein in STF terror, troop eviction from government and private buildings, establishment of schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and a big network for roads are some of the highlights of this great statesman's contribution.'' ''This, he said, changed my mind and I decided to work under his able leadership,'' he said.

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