To the respected Governor Rajasthan Shivraj Patil...
As an ailing, aged Pakistani prisoner in an Indian jail awaits a compassionate response to his mercy appeal, activists and legal experts counter the Governor Rajasthan's objections to the pardon pending before him
By Beena Sarwar
Imagine the mental agony and suspense faced by an ailing old man sentenced to life imprisonment after nearly 20 years of incarceration without trial, now awaiting his release following an amnesty appeal that keeps getting delayed by bureaucratic concerns.
After a long and vigorous campaign by activists in India who believe that he is innocent of the charges brought against him, there was hope that Dr Khaleel Chishty, the elderly Pakistani virologist convicted for murder by a court in Ajmer, Rajasthan, would finally be released. The campaign followed the out-of-the-box judgement by the Indian Supreme Court that urged the Pakistani government "on humanitarian grounds", accepting that the matter was out of its jurisdiction, to release Indian prisoner Gopal Dass. The judgement, highlighted by Aman ki Asha, prompted the Pakistan President to use his powers of pardon to allow Dass to return to India before completing his conviction sentence.
Unfortunately, some elements in the Indian government have not been as forthcoming, despite appeals by Indian citizens to release Dr Chishty.
After studying the circumstances in detail, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan on May 18, 2011 forwarded his recommendation for a pardon to Dr Chishty, to the Governor Rajasthan. The Governor's signature, required as a formality, was the last hurdle to Dr Chishty's freedom.
However, instead of signing as expected (and as constitutionally required), Governor Shivraj Patil (who also officiates as Governor Punjab) kept the file pending. After pressure grew following Indian Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju's much-publicised letter of June 17, 2011 to the Prime Minister appealing for Dr Chishty's release, the Governor outlined a long list of points to be clarified before he would take the 'risk' of signing the Home Ministry's recommendation.
Dismayed but not daunted by the Governor's objections, the rights organisation People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) Rajasthan that has been campaigning for Dr Chishty responded to the points raised by the Governor on a factual basis, while Supreme Court Senior Advocate Dr Rajeev Dhawan countered the constitutional and other legal issues raised.
"We felt that the Governor had raised unfair questions which had no material basis," says Kavita Srivastava, General Secretary PUCL Rajasthan.
The Home Secretary has now sent the file back with these replies, cleared by Attorney General of Rajasthan, to the Chief Minister, who is expected to meet the Governor when he next comes to Jaipur.
Meanwhile, Dr Chishty, grateful for the efforts to free him, continues to languish at Ajmer Prison Hospital, waiting for the day when he will be united with his family in Pakistan.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Happier times: Dr Chishty in the UK with his wife and daughter
By Beena Sarwar
Imagine the mental agony and suspense faced by an ailing old man sentenced to life imprisonment after nearly 20 years of incarceration without trial, now awaiting his release following an amnesty appeal that keeps getting delayed by bureaucratic concerns.
After a long and vigorous campaign by activists in India who believe that he is innocent of the charges brought against him, there was hope that Dr Khaleel Chishty, the elderly Pakistani virologist convicted for murder by a court in Ajmer, Rajasthan, would finally be released. The campaign followed the out-of-the-box judgement by the Indian Supreme Court that urged the Pakistani government "on humanitarian grounds", accepting that the matter was out of its jurisdiction, to release Indian prisoner Gopal Dass. The judgement, highlighted by Aman ki Asha, prompted the Pakistan President to use his powers of pardon to allow Dass to return to India before completing his conviction sentence.
Unfortunately, some elements in the Indian government have not been as forthcoming, despite appeals by Indian citizens to release Dr Chishty.
After studying the circumstances in detail, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan on May 18, 2011 forwarded his recommendation for a pardon to Dr Chishty, to the Governor Rajasthan. The Governor's signature, required as a formality, was the last hurdle to Dr Chishty's freedom.
However, instead of signing as expected (and as constitutionally required), Governor Shivraj Patil (who also officiates as Governor Punjab) kept the file pending. After pressure grew following Indian Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju's much-publicised letter of June 17, 2011 to the Prime Minister appealing for Dr Chishty's release, the Governor outlined a long list of points to be clarified before he would take the 'risk' of signing the Home Ministry's recommendation.
Dismayed but not daunted by the Governor's objections, the rights organisation People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) Rajasthan that has been campaigning for Dr Chishty responded to the points raised by the Governor on a factual basis, while Supreme Court Senior Advocate Dr Rajeev Dhawan countered the constitutional and other legal issues raised.
"We felt that the Governor had raised unfair questions which had no material basis," says Kavita Srivastava, General Secretary PUCL Rajasthan.
The Home Secretary has now sent the file back with these replies, cleared by Attorney General of Rajasthan, to the Chief Minister, who is expected to meet the Governor when he next comes to Jaipur.
Meanwhile, Dr Chishty, grateful for the efforts to free him, continues to languish at Ajmer Prison Hospital, waiting for the day when he will be united with his family in Pakistan.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
This Ludhianvi from Pakistan wants 'visa-till-death'
By Nidhi Singhi
LUDHIANA: Partition saw him move to Pakistan but his heart still lies here in this city. Seventy-five-year-old Shabbir Ahmed Mufti Ludhianvi has .....more
By Nidhi SinghiLUDHIANA: Partition saw him move to Pakistan but his heart still lies here in this city. Seventy-five-year-old Shabbir Ahmed Mufti Ludhianvi has .....more
Pakistani boy to undergo heart surgery in India
Rotary International's District 3271, comprising provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, has facilitated the treatment and subsequent heart surgery of Pakistani boy, Muhammad
.....more
Rotary International's District 3271, comprising provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, has facilitated the treatment and subsequent heart surgery of Pakistani boy, Muhammad
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Iftar with Puja
By Zarminae Ansari
I made lasting friendships with Indians as a high school student in an an international school in Victoria, Canada, then later as a graduate .....more
By Zarminae AnsariI made lasting friendships with Indians as a high school student in an an international school in Victoria, Canada, then later as a graduate .....more
Indian award for Pakistani workers' rights activist
Kamla Bhasin, one of India's best-known women's rights and peace activists instituted the Meeto Memorial Awards in 2009 to honour young South Asian women activists, in me
.....more
Kamla Bhasin, one of India's best-known women's rights and peace activists instituted the Meeto Memorial Awards in 2009 to honour young South Asian women activists, in me
.....more
The spirit of Aman ki Asha
By Beena Sarwar
Unassuming, down-to-earth and soft spoken, tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi embodies the spirit of Aman ki Asha, together with his Indian do .....more
By Beena SarwarUnassuming, down-to-earth and soft spoken, tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi embodies the spirit of Aman ki Asha, together with his Indian do .....more
Aman Ki Asha wins two golds at Asian ad show
NEW DELHI: In a time of bitter silence interrupted by shrill exchanges, it takes courage to be the voice of peace and reason. But that's what The Times of India and Pakis
.....more
NEW DELHI: In a time of bitter silence interrupted by shrill exchanges, it takes courage to be the voice of peace and reason. But that's what The Times of India and Pakis
.....more Page 135 of 178
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The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
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For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
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