Mufti to inform about his 'important UN mission'

Srinagar, Oct 27: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will leave here for New York on October 29 at the head of the non-official Indian delegation to attend the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

But before that, Mr Sayeed, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) founder and patron, will inform the people about his ''important mission'' at a public meeting at the Sher-i-Kashmir cricket stadium here tomorrow.

A PDP statement said the former Chief Minister's visit to New York would be an important step towards accelerating the ongoing peace process in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Sayeed had recently held detailed discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his predecessors Atal Bihari Vajpyee, I K Gujral and V P Singh besides UPA Chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the political scenario in the strife-torn state and the importance of continuing and consolidating the peace and reconciliation process.

At the UN, Mr Sayeed will present the PDP's position paper on the self-rule formula as the final, viable and realistic solution to the Kashmir issue. The proposal encompasses three vital elements -- political satisfaction, economic empowerment and fulfilling regional aspirations -- to workout a final solution to the Kashmir issue with sufficient guarantees.

However, the PDP's self-rule formula has evoked severe criticism from several political parties in the state, including the alliance partner Congress, main opposition National Conference and the BJP.

The first Muslim Union Home Minister of independent India would also be the first Kashmiri to represent the country at the UN as the head of the non-official delegation.

During his 10-day stay in New York, the PDP leader would be meeting a cross section of world leaders.

UNI