PoK delegation in Jammu to attend seminars

Jammu, Apr 12 (UNI) A twelve-member delegation of parliamentarians, journalists and civic leaders from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), headed by former Chief Justice of PoK High Court Justice Majid Malik, arrived here last night to take part in a series of seminars.

The visitors were accorded a warm reception by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconcilitation (CDR), who are hosting the seminar.

Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat, veteran journalist and writer Balraj Puri, Kashmir Times Group chairman Ved Bhasin, Mohammad Sayeed Malik and Professor Zahurudin were also present.

The seminar is based on the themes -- 'Peace Process and the Present Reality','A dialogue process involving the people of J&K and 'Overcoming the Obstacles.' The delegation will participate in similar interactions in Srinagar too.

Former PoK Cabinet Secretary Tariq Masud, who originally hails from Jammu but moved to the other side with his family in 1947, said returning to his birthplace was a ''dream come true for him.'' Interacting with mediapersons, he said he was happy to be here and would like to see the city and meet its people.

The delegation also comprises Northern Areas Legislative Council's member for Gilgit and PML (N) president Hafiz Shafeeq-ur-Rehman Khan, 'Siachen' weekly editor Qasim Nasum, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front secretary Mohammed Sagir, Irshad Mahmud, Kotli Bar Association's ex-president Malik Mohammed Asgar, former Foreign Secretary Humayan Khan, Skardu Municipal Comittee chairman Bashir Ahmed Khan, vice chairman Shakeel ud Din, Wazir Walatat Ali from Skardu and Shahid Malik from Mirpur.

Expressing his delight to be here as a part of the delegation, Mr Shafeeq-ur-Rehman Khan asserted that it is ''important that the concerned quarters have realized the significance of people of the Northern Areas in the ongoing peace process''.

However, Muslim Conference vice President Raja Farooq Haidar, Pakistan Peoples Party Vice President Lateef Akbar and Aruna Kamal, who were also supposed to be in the delegation, did not turn up.

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