A three-member Hurriyat Conference delegation left for a week-long visit to Islamabad on Monday during which they would meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images] and discuss with him de-militarisation and self-rule for resolving the Kashmir issue.

Hurriyat suggests self rule for Kashmir

Before embarking on their week-long visit, leader of the delegation Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told PTI that the delegation would meet Musharraf and discuss with him the recent proposals mooted by him about complete demilitarisation of the state including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Suggestions from certain quarters, including Pakistan and the United States, about having "self-rule" in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] would also figure in the talks with Musharraf, he said.

The Mirwaiz, however, was quick to add, "Self-rule or self-governance can be a good confidence-building measure but not a final resolution to the Kashmir problem."

Back channel diplomacy on: Musharraf

He said any solution to the Kashmir problem could be found with the concurrence of the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state.

The Hurriyat team would also visit PoK capital Muzaffarabad, which was battered by the October 8 earthquake, to express solidarity with the survivors.

During their previous visit last year, Pakistan violated a commitment by allowing the Hurriyat team to travel beyond the PoK and visit Islamabad, a move criticised by India.