ISI’s hartal man retires: Pro-Pakistan separatist Ali Shah Geelani quits Hurriyat Conference

Pro-Pakistan separatist leader Ali Shah Geelani on Monday announced his resignation from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

According to a press release issued by the radical Islamist, he had informed other members about his decision. “He has written a detailed letter to Hurriyat members in which he said, given the present situation within the Hurriyat Conference, he is completely dissociating himself from the platform.”

In an audio message released today, Geelani said, “In view of the present situation, I resign from All Parties Hurriyat Conference. I have informed all the constituents of the Hurriyat about the decision.”

According to news agency PTI, Geelani also cited “rebellion against the leadership” by cadres as one of the reason.

The Union Government had abrogated Article 370, which gave the special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Following the decision, Geelani has been undergoing house arrest.

The Hurriyat Conference, a pro-Pakistani separatist group sponsored by ISI, was formed on March 9, 1993. It offered a common platform for all separatist groups, functioning in Jammu and Kashmir under the aegis of ISI. Ten years after its formation, the Hurriyat Conference split into two groups, one headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and the other hardline group headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

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