Syed Ali Shah Geelani quits Hurriyat

THE lifetime chairman of the pro-Pakistan Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, made a surprise announcement of completely dissociating himself from the 16-party amalgam on Monday, alleging lack of accountability and a brewing rebellion in the ranks. The 90-yearold Geelani, the most prominent of pro-Pakistan separatists in the Kashmir Valley, has been chairman of the conglomerate since its inception in 2003. He has been politically inactive of late, particularly since the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year.