The Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Monday sought the immediate release of jailed Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh popularly known as Engineer Rashid on humanitarian grounds following the demise of his father, Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, in New Delhi.
AIP chief spokesperson Inam un Nabi, while expressing profound grief and sorrow over the death, described late Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh as a veteran teacher, a noble soul and a widely respected personality who dedicated his life to education, morality and social values.
“Haji Khazir Sahib stood like a pillar of strength behind Er Rashid throughout his political and social journey and was admired for his simplicity, wisdom and humility,” he said.
Making an emotional appeal to the Government of India and concerned authorities, Inam urged them to facilitate the immediate release of the jailed MP so that he can participate in the funeral prayers and last rites of his father.
“No pain can be greater than a son being deprived of bidding a final farewell to his own father,” he said, adding that humanitarian considerations must prevail in such moments of personal tragedy irrespective of political differences.
Khazir Sheikh, 85, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences after a prolonged illness last night. He was initially admitted to Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar and later shifted to SMHS Hospital before being referred to AIIMS for specialised treatment.
Booked in a terror funding case and lodged at Tihar Jail in Delhi, Engineer Rashid had recently been granted bail by an NIA court to visit his ailing father in hospital.
