PM welcome in Kashmir if he initiates steps to solve state's problems: Umar Farooq

Srinagar, Sep 21 (ANI): The chairman of the moderate faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, said on Monday that he would welcome a visit to the state by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Kashmir Valley if he initiates steps to resolve the long pending Kashmir issue.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Eid, Farooq said: Today, I would like to welcome India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is coming to Kashmir in some days if he announces some steps to solve the Kashmir problem.

Farooq will leave for New York on Tuesday to attend a ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) contact group on Kashmir, to be held on the sidelines of the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He has also been invited to the annual co-ordination meeting of OIC foreign ministers on September 28. The Centre has permitted him to attend these meetings in New York. By Bilal Butt (ANI)