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
A standing ovation for Aman Ki Asha
India-Pakistan peace initiative hailed as the best campaign at a glittering, global newsmedia awards ceremony in New York
"The best is yet to come," said on .....more
India-Pakistan peace initiative hailed as the best campaign at a glittering, global newsmedia awards ceremony in New York"The best is yet to come," said on .....more
Edhi appeals for Dr Chishty's release from Indian jail
Shahid Husain
KARACHI: Renowned social activist Dr Abdus Sattar Edhi has appealed to Indian President Prathiba Devi Singh Patil to ensure the release of 80- .....more
Shahid HusainKARACHI: Renowned social activist Dr Abdus Sattar Edhi has appealed to Indian President Prathiba Devi Singh Patil to ensure the release of 80- .....more
'Aman Ki Asha' bags two top global awards
NEW YORK: Aman ki Asha, the joint peace initiative of the Jang Group and The Times of India received two top awards at the prestigious annual awards ceremony of the Inter
.....more
NEW YORK: Aman ki Asha, the joint peace initiative of the Jang Group and The Times of India received two top awards at the prestigious annual awards ceremony of the Inter
.....more
Say it with flowers
Peace blooms as the Karachi-based practitioners of a Japanese art of flower arrangement join hands with colleagues in Mumbai
People-to-people exchanges betw .....more
Peace blooms as the Karachi-based practitioners of a Japanese art of flower arrangement join hands with colleagues in MumbaiPeople-to-people exchanges betw .....more
The power of prayer
By Swati Sharan
Here's an idea for all of those who believe in the need for peace between India and Pakistan - it's something anyone can do, it won't cost m .....more
By Swati Sharan
Here's an idea for all of those who believe in the need for peace between India and Pakistan - it's something anyone can do, it won't cost m .....more
A gift of life and a heart-to-heart experience
Rotarian Sajid Baseer Shaikh narrates the heartwarming story of Indo-Pak cooperation that saved the life of an 8-year-old boy
Umar Mushtaq, the son of Musht .....more
Rotarian Sajid Baseer Shaikh narrates the heartwarming story of Indo-Pak cooperation that saved the life of an 8-year-old boyUmar Mushtaq, the son of Musht .....more
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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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