PM to visit JK for 2 days round-table conference

Srinagar, May 16: The second round-table conference on Kashmir, convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, here has been rescheduled and will now be held for two days from May 24.

This was stated by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here today.

He said during his stay here, Dr Singh will also chair the Unified Command meeting and review the progress of the ongoing Prime Minister's reconstruction programme.

Mr Azad said during his recent visit to New Delhi, he met the Prime Minister for nearly one hour and 45 minutes and discussed matters related to the forthcoming round-table conference. ''It was decided that instead of one day, the round-table conference will now be held for two days,'' he added. During his stay in the national capital, the Chief Minister also called on UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

Mr Azad said he informed the Prime Minister that all decks have been cleared for holding the second round-table conference here and expressed the hope that it would prove successful and lay foundation for a lasting peace in the state and resolution of all problems.

UNI