He won’t be allowed to talk to family, use mobile phone, says son Abrar
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD)Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief and North Kashmir MP Engineer Rashid has been granted custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session. However, he will not be allowed to communicate with his family or access mobile phones and the internet, his son Abrar Rashid confirmed.
Speaking to The Diplomat, Abrar expressed gratitude to political leaders who had raised concerns about his father’s health, as Rashid had been on an 11-day hunger strike. While he remains under strict restrictions, he will be permitted to engage with parliamentary officials during the session.
AIP spokesman Inam-un-Nabi also confirmed the development, stating that the party had consistently advocated for Rashid’s right to participate in legislative proceedings. Rashid, a former MLA from Langate, has been in Tihar Jail since 2019 following his arrest by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a terror-funding case. He was elected as an MP from North Kashmir in the 2024 general elections, despite being in custody.
His parole is expected to fuel fresh political debates, particularly as discussions on Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, security, and governance remain key issues in Parliament. Rashid’s case has drawn significant attention, with his supporters claiming his detention is politically motivated, while the government maintains that his arrest was based on serious charges,DD