Ashraf Sehrai replaces Geelani as Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman

Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai was on Monday elected chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, replacing Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Geelani held the post for 15 years since the party was formed following a split in the Hurriyat Conference in 2003.

Sehrai was elected chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat at a meeting of its executive committee after Geelani decided to step down, sources in the separatist party said.

Geelani will, however, continue to head the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference of which Tehreek-e-Hurriyat is a constituent, the sources said.

Political observers believe that Sehrai will ultimately succeed 88-year-old Geelani as the head of the Hurriyat Conference as well.