New Delhi, Aug 05: A three-member Hurriyat Conference delegation led by its chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari today met the newly appointed Pakistan High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan besides diplomats from other countries in a bid to strengthen peace process between India and Pakistan. The Hurriyat delegation comprising Ansari and former chairmen Abdul Gani Bhat and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq apprised the new Pakistan High Commissioner of the developments taking place between the two countries vis-a-vis Kashmir issue. The delegation apprised Aziz, who was accompanied by his deputy Munawar Bhatti, of the Hurriyat's role in forging lasting peace between India and Pakistan.
Though none of the Hurriyat leaders were willing to come on record about the meetings, sources in the amalgam said that the three leaders made it amply clear to the Pakistani side that Hurriyat Conference or the people of Kashmir should not be sidelined in any peace talks between the two countries.
This was the first meeting between Aziz and Hurriyat after the latter assumed office in India earlier last month.

The delegation also had a meeting with a diplomat in the political section of the United States, Mathew Boyce, and apprised him of the Hurriyat's stand on the easing of tension between India and Pakistan.
The exercise was wound up with a meeting with Iranian ambassador.
Bureau Report