Wednesday, March 8 2006 13:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Leaders of Jammu and Kashmir from across the divide will assemble in Islamabad on Friday to deliberate on the idea of 'self-governance' floated by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf about a month back.

The intra-Kashmir dialogue 'Prospects of Self Governance in Jammu and Kashmir and Present Status of Cooperation and Communications Across the LoC' will see the leaders from various hues from both sides exchanging their views on the issue for three days.

Among those invited for the conference from this side of the state are Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF chief Yasin Malik and CPM leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, sources said here today(Mar 8,2006).

The meet, organised by an NGO, is significant as it comes close on the heels of a round-table of Jammu and Kashmir leaders chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

When contacted, Tarigami told PTI here that he hoped this 'intellectual exploration' by experts and political activists to seek fresh initiative for leadership of India, Pakistan and Kashmir will strengthen the ongoing peace process.

He said it would be "Unfortunate and tragic if the two great countries (India and Pakistan) do not work for some form of cooperative development for peace in the region."

"We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, have been the chief victims of the hostilities. We will like both leaderships to take fresh initiative so that all issues including J and K are settled in a manner which can ensure peace and development in the region as a whole," Tarigami said.