Geelani’s son swears by Constitution

Pro-Pakistan Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son Dr Naim-ul-Zaffer Geelani has created a stir in the Valley by giving a written undertaking in the J&K high court that he is “law abiding citizen who is interested in the peace and prosperity” of the restive state.

In a writ petition filed in the court for the issuance of the passport, Naim, 53, and his wife Dr Rehana Nazir, 39, have prayed that withholding the passports on the ground of their father and father-in law (Hurriyat hawk) respectively being an “opposition political leader” is a violation of Article 14 and 21.

Naim, whose sudden return from Pakistan two years back had kicked off a debate over the ageing Hurriyat hawk’s succession, now wants to leave Kashmir along with his wife for working in Gulf countries as medicos.

Naim and his wife had left for Pakistan on a valid passport in 1996. During his stay in Pakistan he obtained post graduation degree in surgery.

After 10-year validity of the passport expired,  they applied to Indian high commission for temporary passport which was granted for one year from 2007-08. It was extended till November 2010 when they returned to India on exit certificates. They later applied for passport which was not granted prompting them to approach the HC.