Won't Invite Jammu and Kashmir Speaker as it Compromises Position: Pakistan

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, their government said today.

Special Adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz said in Islamabad that Pakistan does not recognise the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.

"Pakistan does not recognise and accept the said assembly as a legitimate one," he said.

He said Pakistan's principled position on Jammu and Kashmir will be compromised if the speaker of Jammu and Kashmir is invited to the conference.

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 Jammu & Kashmir assembly was not invited.

Indian High Commissioner TCA 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.

Mr Raghavan also said that India will not attend the conference if Pakistan did not invite the speaker.