SRINAGAR: People Democratic Party (PDP) leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig met the European Union (EU) delegation visiting Kashmir and suggested bilateral India and Pakistan dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue, as agreed in the Shimla agreement, Beig said.
Baig met the delegation before its visit to Kashmir in New Delhi. He said he was flown to Delhi for the meet from his residence, where he was under house arrest.
Baig told Kashmir Reader that he had a brief chit-chat with the four members of the delegation.
“I was asked my view on how peace can be restored in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. “And I told them that the way is to resolve Kashmir bilaterally between two countries. There was no other question asked. Nothing about Kashmir situation that post abrogation of special status”
It is for the first time an international delegation is visiting Kashmir after abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
The government had imposed restrictions, shut down phones and internet, detained separatist as well as pro-India political leaders, trade leaders and civilians in Kashmir.
The delegation is arriving for a day-long ”unofficial” visit on Tuesday which has been arranged by a European NGO and comprises members from different EU member states. The delegation arrived in New Delhi on Monday.
The delegation met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in Delhi. “Their visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give the delegation a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh apart from giving them a clear view of the development and governance priorities of the region”, a statement quoting Prime Minister issued by Press Information Bureau said.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz