Thursday, June 23 2005 18:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India has received an application from Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid seeking permission to travel to Jammu and Kashmir by the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service later this month.

"We have received Sheikh Rashid's application which will be processed in due course," the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in New Delhi today (Jun 23, 2005).

The fate of Rashid's visit is hanging in balance in view of the allegations that he had organised a training camp for Kashmiri militants at his farm house.

Various political parties in India have opposed the visit in the wake of the allegations.

In Islamabad, Rashid, who plans to travel by the June 30 Muzaffarabad-Sringar bus, told a private TV network today that, "The ball is in India's court now. I will be notified on June 27 about the status of my visit."

"It has now become a test case for the peace process. It is test for India. We will see whether India will pass or fail," he told Geo TV.

He said he was confident of getting permission and the Pakistan Foreign Office has also taken up the issue with India.

Blaming the Indian media for playing up the allegation that he ran a training camp for Kashmiri militants in his farm house at Fateh Jung near Rawalipindi between 1988-90, Rashid admitted that his case has been spoilt by former Pakistan Army chief Gen (Retd) Aslam Baig who spoke to the world media asserting that he (Rashid) organised the camp.

Rashid said he has not directly discussed the issue with Baig but asked him to withdraw his allegation through mutual friends.

The Minister maintained that he conducted only a refugee camp and provided hospitality to Kashmiris and not training as alleged.

Rashid, who earlier said he planned to meet all political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir including hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, said that he mainly wanted to go to Srinagar to meet his relatives as his parents hailed from there.