Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 6: The Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, who was scheduled to attend the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) summit in Egyptian capital of Cairo today was disallowed Passport by the Government.
Mirwaiz had applied for the fresh passport in December this year after his passport that was issued last year in January expired in December last year.
The OIC meet is being held in Egyptian capital of Cairo on February 6 and 7. Mirwaiz was even waiting today for his passport to attend the last day of the OIC session but he was told at the Passport office that his passport documents are under process.
Last year in December Hurriyat Conference delegation led by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq travelled to Pakistan and Government issued travel documents to all of them to facilitate their visit. Even some of the Hurriyat Conference leaders were provided passports at Srinagar Airport at the time of their departure to New Delhi for their onward journey to Pakistan.
It is not known why Mirwaiz was denied passport. But after his recent Pakistan visit a section of media reported that Hurriyat Conference delegation met masterminded behind Mumbai attack Hafiz Sayeed. Although the delegation didn’t meet him but based on media reports the Congress led UPA Government had to face severe criticism at the hands of BJP.
Hurriyat Conference has denounced the Government decision to withhold the passport and other travel documents of Mirwaiz.
Expressing serious concern over the issue, the Hurriyat spokesman said it was highly regretful that Mirwaiz could not attend the summit as travel documents were not provided by the authorities for reasons known to them.
The spokesman said by restricting the Hurriyat’s political and diplomatic activities, the Government has once again resorted to undemocratic measures by putting embargo on the freedom of speech of people and groups.
The spokesman said the summit which takes place after every four years is of great significance as it discusses the political issues and problems faced by Muslims on global, local and regional levels.
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