Human chain from Pakistan to India on October 24

Leaders in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and the Kashmir valley plan to form a human chain across the Line of Control on October 4, the 51st anniversary of the United Nations.

The chain, to be organised by the recently-constituted militant outfit, the Jammu and Kashmir Solidarity Front, would link the United Nations Military Observer Group office in Muzaffarabad, PoK, with the one in Srinagar.

Sources say this move is part of Pakistan's multi-pronged effort to pressurise India to agree on a joint work group to discuss the Kashmir issue.

"With the UN general assembly's month-long session beginning September 19, increased anti-India propaganda can also be expected in the next few weeks," they add.

Details of the plan were finalised in a meeting between the leaders of PoK, the All Party Hurriyat Conference, the Muttahida Jehad Council and several noted intellectuals.

The disclosure came at a press conference in Islamabad on August 31 by a spokesman, Abdul Rashid Turabi.

The decision to constitute the JKSF to replace the APHC in Kashmir valley was taken at the meeting. Quoting Turabi, sources said all aspects of militancy in the Kashmir valley were discussed and there was unanimity on short and long term programmes for the purpose. The human chain is the first of such programmes.

Pakistan has made several attempts to raise the Kashmir issue at various international fora, including the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Countries and many human rights conferences.

Meanwhile, APHC chief spokesman Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat said a top-level Hurriyat delegation met Pakistan's Information Minister Mushahid Hussain at its high commission in New Delhi on Sunday night. The delegation included APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Abdul Ghani Lone.

The spokesman said the delegation impressed upon the visiting minister that unless the Kashmiris were included in the Indo-Pak talks, no breakthrough could be achieved. The minister apprised the delegation of Pakistan's desire to improve relations with India.

UNI

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