Kathmandu: First ever meeting of Kashmiri leaders from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) will be held in Kathmandu today (Dec 13, 2004) even as hard-line pro-Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has decided to stay away.

This meeting would be held as a part of intra-Kashmiri committee formed during the Conference.

This meeting assumes significance, as this is for the first time that the leaders from the two sides of Kashmir were meeting at an international forum to discuss the vexed issue.

"There is no other alternative left other than allow us to meet and deliberate upon the possible solution to the Kashmir issue," Abdul Gani Bhat said during conference that is being organised by US-based think tank Pugwash.

During the meeting, the Hurriyat Conference team comprising Bhat and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq would present their stand about solving the Kashmir issue through a peaceful dialogue and would seek co-operation from the PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) leaders for making a cohesive and a united stand on the issue.

Geelani, who has formed his own Hurriyat Conference has meanwhile, preferred to stay away from the three-day meet being held in the Himalayan kingdom. Though the pro-Pakistan leader has claimed that he had to undergo medical treatment, sources said that he had decided to keep away from the conference because of his hawkish attitude.

Setting the records straight, Pugwash issued a statement that Geelani's non-participation was his own decision and that neither Nepal nor Indian Government had stopped him.