Date:30/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/30/stories/2005033003341200.htm

National

Mehbooba, Omar Abdullah to board bus

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, MARCH 29. An all-party delegation is preparing to board the first bus to Muzaffarabad on April 7 as the Government of India has already forwarded the names of delegation members to the Government of Pakistan for approval. The delegation members include the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti, and the National Conference chief, Omar Abdullah.

Confirming this, Ms. Mehbooba told The Hindu that she has already submitted application for the permit. "We are planning to go as a delegation but only in addition to the number of passengers being allowed on the bus." However, the leaders are not expected to stay in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir for more than four days.

"It seems both India and Pakistan have agreed to the visit of the politicians," sources added.

Separate bus

Sources said that if Pakistan approved the proposal, the Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation would run a separate bus for the leaders.