09 November 2004	Tuesday	25 Ramazan 1425

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: The Indian government is delaying giving passports to Kashmiri leaders and Pakistan is still a barred destination in their documents, says Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari.

The senior Kashmiri leader said on Monday that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had been issued a passport after one year, which had a validity of three months and could not be used for travel to Pakistan, Maulana Ansari said in an interview in the occupied Kashmir, according to a news report received here.

"We have followed the proper method in applying for passports but it seems the government is not interested in allowing the visit (to Pakistan)," he said referring to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's statement that New Delhi would consider letting Kashmiri leaders visit Pakistan if they followed "proper method".

"The home minister said there are no curbs on visiting Pakistan. Then we should be allowed to go," he added. Maulana Ansari reiterated that a visit to Pakistan was a must before the peace process could be restarted.

Maulana Ansari said that the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference was for a dialogue between India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. "We are ready for talks as always... but we have to take all concerned along on the way to peace," he added.

The leader said: "We also have to talk to the leadership on the other side of the Line of Control before we proceed any further with the Centre.".-APP