New Delhi: Peeved at Islamabad throwing its weight behind rival faction of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the Hurriyat Conference led by Maulana Abbas Ansari has decided not to attend this year's Iftar Party hosted by Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on November 13.

What irked them still more is the fact that invitations were sent for the party in their individual names from Pakistani High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan, with no reference to the religious or political parties they represented, let alone their being leaders of the Hurriyat.

On the other hand, Geelani in his invitation has been addressed as Hurriyat chairman, thus giving the much-needed recognition to the hardline faction of the Hurriyat led by him.

The Iftar party is scheduled to be held on November 13, which Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid, in New Delhi in connection with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meeting, will also attend.

When contacted, Ansari said he was not attending the Iftar function. "I am not going there and I have contacted other leaders of Hurriyat who have also declined to attend the function," Ansari said.

PTI