Masarat Alam Masarat Alam

As Pakistan celebrates its Republic Day, also known as Pakistan Day on Monday, a dinner invitation by Islamabad's envoy to New Delhi Abdul Basit to Kashmiri separatists including Masarat Alam, has raised heckles in India.

Masarat, whose release from jail earlier this month led to an intense standoff between coalition partners, the BJP and the PDP, in Jammu and Kashmir, told reporters he is not attending. "No, I won't be attending due to health issues. I will send my colleagues," Alam said.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, met Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi on Sunday to understand Islamabad's stand at the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, besides informing him of the "ground situation" in Jammu and Kashmir.

After reaching Delhi, the Mirwaiz, who is leading a team of seven members to participate in the Pakistan Day celebrations, said: "It is important that you understand, if we have to end violence, Kashmir cannot have a military solution. It cannot have a solution through violence."

"I don't think the Indian government has objected to the invites. I suggest to media friends not to make an issue out of a non-issue," Basit said. Last year, India had called off talks with Pakistan after Basit invited Hurriyat leaders at his residence for a dialogue.

"The Pakistani High Commissioner's invite to separatist leaders is an issue of concern for India. The government of India must take note and take action," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said.

Pakistan stages Republic Day parade after seven years

A military parade to celebrate Pakistan's Republic Day was held in Islamabad on Monday after a gap of seven years. Also known as Pakistan Day, it is observed to commemorate the passage of the Lahore Resolution of 1940, now called the Pakistan Resolution, on March 23, 1940 at the ground in Lahore where the Minar-e-Pakistan now stands.

The resolution called for the creation of independent states for Muslims in north-western and eastern British India. The last parade took place in Islamabad in 2008, but was discontinued owing to security concerns, Dawn online reported.

Personnel from all the three services -- the army, navy and air force - participated in the parade. This time the event took place at the new Parade Ground. Earlier it used to be held on Parade Avenue in front of Parliament House and before that, at the Race Course in Rawalpindi.

As per tradition, a change of guard took place at the mausoleums of poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Pakistan's founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, followed by wreaths being laid. Pakistan's national flag was hoisted atop main public and private buildings throughout the country as well as at all Pakistani missions abroad.