Pak says won't invite J&K speaker as it compromises position

Islamabad, Aug 8: Pakistan will not invite the speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to the upcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference as it would compromise its position on the Kashmir issue, the government said today.

Special Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz said here that Kashmir was a disputed territory and Pakistan does not recognise its assembly.

"We will never invite the speaker of occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assembly," Aziz said. He said Pakistan's principled position on Jammu and Kashmir will be compromised if the speaker of held Kashmir is invited to the conference.

"Pakistan does not recognise and accept the said assembly as a legitimate one," he said. Pakistan is hosting the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference from September 30 to October 8 for which over 70 per cent of the delegates have confirmed participation. India has threatened to boycott the meet if the speaker of the J&K assembly was not invited.

Indian High Commissioner T C A Raghavan said Pakistan had violated protocol by not inviting the speaker of Jammu and Kashmir, the Dawn reported. "In the past Pakistan has invited delegations from Kashmir," he said. Raghavan also said that India will not attend the conference if Pakistan did not invite the speaker.

PTI