OIC invites Umar Farooq for meeting on J-K during UNGA

New Delhi [India], Sept. 9 (ANI): The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has invited chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for its annual 'Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers' as well as the 'Meeting of Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir' in New York later this month. Mirwaiz got the invitation through a letter from OIC Director General of Cabinet Yusuf Al-Othaimeen, which was released to the media by the Hurriyat Conference on Friday. "I have the honour to inform you that the annual Coordination Meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers as well as the Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir will be held during the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York on 19-22 September 2016. In this regard, I have the pleasure to invite you to attend the above mentioned meetings in New York, as invitee," Othaimeen said in the letter addressed to Mirwaiz. The invitation came at a time when the Kashmir Valley was going through turmoil following the killing of Hizb-ul Mujahidin terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8. As many as 78 people were killed and thousands, including security forces, left injured in the cycle of violence that engulfed the Valley. With an aim to find a possible solution to the prolonged Kashmir unrest, an all-party delegation headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Srinagar on September 4. The all-party delegation on the first day of its visit here on Sunday met about 200 members in about 30 delegations from various sections of society and listened to their point of view to reach at a common solution to the current scenario in the state. Before leaving for Srinagar, Singh had said, "We intend to talk to individuals and groups, who want peace and normalcy in the Kashmir Valley." The delegation is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The Home Minister chaired the meeting of the all-party delegation that was also attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. During the meeting, a detailed presentation was given by the State Government highlighting various issues related to the current scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and it was emphasised that a clear roadmap needs to be drawn with a focus on the way forward, said a press statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting also stressed that the recommendations of the Working Groups and Parliamentary delegations need to be considered. While interacting with the delegation, Mufti said, "Kashmir is a common issue of national interest and should not be viewed as a political issue." Mufti also thanked all the parties for visiting the state to listen to the problems of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. All the parties agreed to this fact and emphasised that steps need to be taken to restore normalcy and peace in Kashmir at the earliest, said MHA in the statement. The delegation also met the representatives of various political parties, who expressed their concern over the injuries to civilians due to the use of pellet guns; to which, the Union Home Minister said the Government is already working on the alternatives to pellet guns such as PAVA shells. (ANI)