AIP Demands Release of Jailed MP Rashid as Father's Health Turns Critical

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has urgently called for the release of jailed Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid on humanitarian grounds, citing the critical and worsening health condition of his father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh. Currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar, Sheikh’s deteriorating state has caused significant distress to the family. AIP spokesperson Inam Un Nabi emphasized that Rashid’s absence from his father’s side during this testing time adds to their anguish, urging the Government of India to prioritize empathy over legalities. Prominent Kashmiri leaders, including chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Peoples Conference leader Bilal Lone, visited the hospital to check on Sheikh’s health. They echoed the demand for Rashid’s temporary release, highlighting the emotional suffering of political prisoners and their families. Rashid, who has been in custody since 2019, faces charges of terror funding under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Delhi High Court recently dismissed his plea challenging these charges. The situation underscores the intersection of legal proceedings and humanitarian concerns in the region.