While a decision on granting a passport to Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani is pending with the government, sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs today said that a passport is the right of every citizen.


The MHA said the decision on issuing a passport will be taken considering various issues, including national security. As and when the matter is referred to the MHA it will be processed on merit.


MoS Home Kiran Rijiju said that the Home Ministry has not yet received anything regarding Geelani's application for passport. "When we will receive it, we will take a decision taking into account various issue like national security," he told reporters.


Rijiju was replying to a question on the issue of granting passport to the hardline Hurriyat faction leader who has applied for the travel document to visit his ailing daughter in Saudi Arabia.


Jammu and Kashmir's ruling coalition partners PDP and BJP were sharply divided today over the Geelani passport issue with the regonal party saying it would approach the Centre for granting the travel document on "humanitarian" grounds.


Official sources said Geelani and his family members want to travel to Jeddah to visit his ailing daughter and had applied for passports online.


Geelani was issued passport in 2007, 2008 and 2011 with a validity of one year in each time.