Srinagar, May 18 (IANS) The father of jailed Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, passed away in Delhi on Monday, following which his party, Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), has appealed to the government to allow him to attend the last rites.

Engineer Rashid is the founder and head of the party. Inam Un Nabi, API’s chief spokesperson, said that Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, the father of MP Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, has passed away. He was 85.

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the demise, Nabi described Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh as a veteran teacher, a noble soul and a deeply respected personality who dedicated his life to education, morality and social values.

He said Haji Khazir Sahib stood like a pillar of strength behind Er Rashid throughout his political and social journey and was widely admired for his simplicity, wisdom and humility.

Inam Un Nabi made an emotional appeal to the Centre and concerned authorities to immediately facilitate the release of Jailed MP Er Rashid so that “a son can participate in the last rites and funeral prayers of his father”.

He said, “No pain can be greater than a son being deprived of bidding a final farewell to his own father”. He said, irrespective of political differences, humanitarian considerations must prevail in such moments of personal tragedy and grief.

“A father has departed from this world, and his son remains behind bars. This is a deeply painful moment for the entire family and all those who know them,” Inam Un Nabi said.

The AIP Chief Spokesperson said the passing away of Haji Sahib has created a huge void not only within the bereaved family but also among well-wishers, students and admirers across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the entire party leadership and cadre stand in solidarity with Er Rashid and the family in this hour of grief and sorrow.

Engineer Rashid had been allowed to see his ailing father in Srinagar hospital by the court, after which he flew his father to Delhi for treatment.

Rashid is currently imprisoned in Delhi’s Tihar Jail on charges of terror funding. Despite being incarcerated, he won the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by defeating Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

–IANS

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