Geelani not allowed to visit Pak

SRINAGAR, Jan 16:
Radical Hurriyat Conference chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been denied documents to travel to Pakistan to condole the death of former Chief of Pakistan Jamat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad, who passed away recently.
Mr Geelani had submitted a fresh application in the office of Regional Passport Office (RPO) here requesting that he should be issued a fresh passport and other travel documents to visit Pakistan.
However, a reply received by the HC from RPO said they need permission from higher ups before issuing the documents.
The reply further said HC office will be informed accordingly, a spokesman of the HC Aiyaz Akbar said in a statement here.
He said even after a lapse of one week no intimation has been provided by the RPO and added it a clear indication that there is no change in their policy of New Delhi with regards to Mr Geelani. HC while denouncing the denial of travel documents to Mr Geelani, has termed it as unconstitutional and unjustified.
Mr Akbar said Mr Geelani had no political agenda, instead wanted to express his condolence to bereaved family of late Qazi Hussain.
Refusing permission to Mr Geelani to visit Pakistan has exposed the tall claims of the Government to uphold ethics of democracy. There remains no doubt that their belief in democracy has proved to be a hoax, he added.
Spokesman has strongly condemned the attitude of the authorities saying that Mr Geelani was issued a passport with one year validity to perform Hajj pilgrimage two years ago.
However, the validity of the passport was not extended. (UNI)