Kashmiri separtists meet mainstream leaders at media function

Srinagar, Aug 27 (UNI) The golden jubilee celebrations of Aftab, a leading Urdu daily newspaper from here, today saw leaders of different shades of opinion share the same dais.

While Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, his deputy Muzaffar Hussain Baigh, National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah were sitting on the right side of Daily Aftab's Editor-in-Chief Khwaja Sonaullah Bhat, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik and Hurriyat (moderate) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were seated on his left.

The seating arrangement prompted senior advocate Zafar Shah, who presided over the function, to comment that he was sandwiched between the leaders from different ideologies and political affiliations.

Photojournalists had a field day as they clicked non-stop pictures of Mr Azad and Mr Baigh exchanging greetings with the JKLF Chief and the Hurriyat Chairman.

However, a sort of commotion was witnessed as Dr Abdullah arrived midway through the function when Mr Baigh was addressing the gathering. Cameramen rushed to take pictures as he went from seat to seat to individually greet everybody on the dais.

The former Chief Minister was seen shaking hands with Malik and Mirwaiz Farooq and also saying something to them.

While Dr Abdullah and Mr Baigh left immediately after making their respective speeches, Mr Azad sat through the function held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), here.

''Aftab'' was founded by Khwaja Sonaullah Bhat in 1957. The newspaper is now published on behalf of the Aftab Charitable Trust with Mr Ghulam Mohammad Mir as its printer and publisher.

However, 84-year-old Khwaja Sonaullah Bhat continues to be its Editor-in-Chief.

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