Some senior leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, along with the Nationalist Congress Party, are keen to help the government break the ice with Pakistan.
Former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, Rajya Sabha member Dr Karan Singh and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Friday evening met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to brief him about their initiative.
"This initiative came from Dr Farooq Abdullah who, during his talks with Sharad Pawar, suggested that a committee of parliamentarians headed by former ruler of J&K Dr Karan Singh visit Pakistan and help the government break the ice with the leadership there," senior NCP leader Praful Patel told rediff.com.
"In view of the rapidly changing global scenario, we must learn to co-exist with our neighbours in peace," he said.
Patel said the prime minister was open to the idea.
"He has no problem letting the delegation go to Pakistan but asked that the plan be kept on hold till he got feedback from N N Vohra, the Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir," Patel told rediff.com.
Vohra is in Srinagar ascertaining the views of political parties on the Kashmir problem.
Asked why there was a parallel initiative each time a government interlocutor was appointed to hold talks in J&K, Patel said this one was just a coincidence.
He insisted that the initiative was in no way meant to sabotage Vohra's efforts.
"If anything, we can supplement his efforts," Patel said.
He said the delegation was also open to holding talks with political parties in J&K, but only those who respect the Constitution.
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