Editorial Special Report
The News on Sunday

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 released after the talks. It is the faces of these released prisoners on our television screens and in the next day's newspapers that shock us into doing this Special Report. The news presenters do not need to state the obvious but they do; majority of these prisoners have lost their mental balance, they announce in a mechanical way.

Beyond these news-making decisions (of releasing a few prisoners here and there) which are received with indifference at best, the process goes on, slowly, reported in a piecemeal fashion and hence failing to make an impact. We don't know if the news that Sarabjit, the Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, is going to meet his sister after 21 years is part of the process that goes on in the background or is a corollary of the foreign secretary level talks.

Judging by the ordeal that his sister Dalbir Singh had to go through once in Pakistan clearly shows it is part of the process where not even an inch is granted with ease. Dalbir, who was here to meet her brother as the purpose stated on her visa, was refused permission to meet him and had to file a writ petition in the Lahore High Court to do so. Yes, it is as absurd as this.

Talking of courts, the prisoners in these two countries are made to stay in jails even after they have completed sentences on the largely cooked up charges. The Indian Supreme Court took the lead in asking the government to expedite the release of such prisoners. According to Mr Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, member Pakistani-India joint judicial committee on prisoners, the Supreme Court in Pakistan has also taken some good decisions with regard to detainees.

The vice-versa mantra has worked to the advantage of prisoners in another way. Activists and lawyers in the two countries have been working for prisoners of the other country and have managed to help release quite a few of them. All praise to them.

The prisoners' tales are long and harrowing. Newspaper reports alone will not make the impact the way films like Veer Zaara, Ramchand Pakistani and Mammo will. Will the television images of these deranged released people shake our artistes and writers? We believe they should.


Sunday, July 03, 2011

Speak out for peace "We have come today to talk, hear and see peace on the border," nine-year old Sulman Asghir, of St. Mary's Convent High School, Sahiwal, told the Pakistani bhangra singer .....more

Letters Dear Aman ki Asha,
We and all our students had great fun, the idea of hankies peace chain, made by children was really awesome and distinctive. We wish you all the bes .....more

A salute to Toba Tek Singh Toba Tek Singh, the town made famous by Sadat Hasan Manto's short story with that title, has recently made the news for its active participation in peace efforts between .....more

A border crossing to remember LAHORE: "The Commonwealth Games taking place in New Delhi this year are an achievement for all of South Asia," said Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, speaking at a d .....more

Tug of peace at the border Wednesday, June 30, 2010

LAHORE: The Queens' Baton Relay ceremony and the Aman ki Asha Peace Chain Event at Wagah border last Friday, Jun 25th was a success beyond .....more

India-Pakistan duo enters Wimbledon quarters LONDON: Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and his doubles partner India's Rohan Bopanna will face Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner in the Wimbledon quarter-finals after .....more