Tuesday, April 5 2005 11:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: The Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of 23 separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, came in for severe criticism from international Non-Government Organisations (NGO) at the UN Commission of Human Rights meeting in Geneva for "their lack of vision and incoherent approach" on Kashmir issue.

"The role of the self-styled leadership of Kashmiris, especially the APHC is dismal," representatives of JK Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) said at the meeting.

Syed Nazir Gilani of JKCHR lambasted Pakistan for its illegal control of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit and Baltistan.

"Pakistan on its part keep the semblance of supporting the Kashmir peoples right to self determination and in this regard has continued to control and influence the people living under two administrations -PoK and Northern Areas," he said.

Gilani and Tahir Naseem Minas of Afro-Asian Solidarity Organisation were critical of the separatist leadership for "doing nothing' to redress grievances of the people.

"Most of the leaders are not visionary and lacked qualities to lead the people of Jammu and Kashmir who had suffered immensely in the past 15 years," Gilani said.

"The leadership of the community must have the will and the foresight to protect the interest of the common man," Minas said.

Gilani said peace and security should not be kept hostage to the issue of self-determination. "Peace and security remains commanding obligation on India and Pakistan," he said.