Gazanfar Ali to head AIP committee for Er Rashid’s release campaign

Srinagar, Aug 01: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) has constituted a high-level Formation Committee led by senior leader, Gazanfar Ali, to spearhead a mass outreach campaign for the release of incarcerated Member of Parliament (MP) and party founder Er Rashid, whose bail hearing has been adjourned till October 6, 2025.The announcement was made following a central leadership meeting held today at the party headquarters in Srinagar, the party said in a statement issued here. The meeting was chaired by Ishtiyaq Qadri, Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) attended by Vice President Adv. G.N. Shaheen, General Secretaries Nazir Ahmad Khan and Prince Parveez, Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, Senior Leaders Gazanfar Ali and Nazir Ahmad Mir AIP MLA from Langate Sheikh Khursheed, who also heads the Parliamentary Affairs Committee , Senior AIP Leader and Spokesperson Firdouse Baba and Adv Javeed Hubbi participated virtually.The meeting expressed concern over the prolonged incarceration of Er Rashid, who has completed nearly six years in custody. The party noted that the continued delay in securing his release has caused deep disappointment among the masses, party workers, leadership, as well as his family, the statement said.While addressing the meeting, Ishtiyaq Qadri emphasised, “We have full faith in the Constitution of our country and the due process of law. However, the delay in Er Rashid Sahib’s bail hearing has understandably disheartened the people who look up to him as their true representative.”The newly formed Formation Committee, headed by Gazanfar Ali and comprising Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, Senior Leader Nazir Ahmad Mir, State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, General Secretary Nazir Ahmad Khan, has been mandated to intensify public outreach in and outside Jammu and Kashmir. The committee will interact with people from all walks of life and civil society groups to build broader support for Er Rashid’s early release. Additionally, the committee will oversee a series of programmes and peaceful democratic actions, including seminars, sit-ins, awareness campaigns, particularly on the eve of the completion of six years of Er Rashid’s incarceration.The leadership reiterated that Er Rashid remains a symbol of people’s aspirations, and AIP will continue to explore every constitutional and lawful avenue to ensure justice is delivered.