Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Kashmiri separatist leader and All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chief was issued a short-term passport by authorities, Indian media reported Tuesday.
Kashmir’s regional passport officer Firdous Iqbal confirmed that a short validity passport has been sent to the Hurriyat leader on his address through a post.
It will be for the first time in the past two decades that Geelani will be allowed to travel abroad. In the past, Geelani was refused a passport thrice in 2007, 2008 and 2011.
The issuance of the passport comes after he completed the form and mentioned Indian in the nationality section of the passport form. Although the Kashmiri leader later said, “I am not by birth an Indian. It is a compulsion.”
Geelani, 86, had applied for travel documents to visit Saudi Arabia in May to meet his younger daughter Farhat Jabeen Geelani, who is not keeping well these days.
“She is suffering from serious nerve problems and is looking forward to seeing her father. Geelani sahib is very much attached to her and is desperate to see her,” Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar said.
I have to admit that I've been guilty of this as well and I know I've never meant to insult of offend. Usually I use this as an opener to get to know someone but I do see your point – I wouldn't ask another white person what their nationality was, only where they're from. I'm definitely going to remember this!
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