Sunday, June 26 2005 12:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: In a significant development, the Organisation of Islamic Conference has dropped hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani from its guest list and instead invited moderate leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq for its upcoming Foreign Ministers Conference in Yemen.

The decision of the 56-member grouping appears to have been influenced by Pakistan which off late has given a cold shoulder to Geelani who turned down Islamabad's invitation to visit the country along with Farooq and other separatist leaders recently.

Farooq along with JKLF (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front) Chairman Yasin Malik and President of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmed Shah have been invited for the 32nd Foreign Ministers Conference of the OIC in the Yemenese capital Sana on June 28.

Geelani and his group did not figure in the list of invitees announced by state-run PTV.

Till recently only the Geelani faction was invited by the OIC as it was officially recognised by Pakistan. However, with Pakistan giving much weightage to the Mirwaiz group, the OIC has changed its list of invitees.

OIC, which has a Committee on Kashmir, came under criticism for being guided by Pakistan's choice of Kashmiri representatives.

Ever since the visit of Farooq to Pakistan, the state television has referred to him as APHC Chairman, the title, which till now was accorded to Geelani, who is now called as 'Buzurgh Rehnuma' (senior leader).