Wednesday, June 8 2005 15:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Differences among visiting separatist leaders from Kashmir valley remained at the fore yesterday (Jun 7, 2005) as Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik met Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf separately after the military strongman held talks with the other leaders.

Pakistan's Geo TV said while Hurriyat Conference leaders held talks with Musharraf for over three hours but Malik met him separately. There was no official word from either side what transpired at the meeting between Musharraf and Malik.

Throughout the five-day visit of the separatist leaders, Malik had been keeping himself away from moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and his other colleagues who firmly backed the India-Pak peace process even while insisting on involvement of Kashmiris in India-Pak dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue.

Two days ago, Malik had met Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz separately, well after Farooq and his colleagues completed their talks.

Pakistani officials, who were embarrassed by the note of discord openly struck by Malik, said it was up to him to explain why he is choosing to keep away from the flock.