LHC seeks report on Indian prisoners confined illegally in Pakistan our correspondent

LAHORE: Hearing the writ petition for the release of two Indian prisoners in Lahore who have completed their terms but remain imprisoned, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry has called for a report of all Indian prisoners who have completed their sentences but not been released.

Advocate Awais Sheikh had filed a writ petition before the Lahore High Court on behalf of Indian prisoners, Satinder Pal and Karale Bhanudas, confined in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore who have completed their terms of imprisonment but remain imprisoned apparently due to non-availability proof of 'dentificatio'. 'We provided proof of identification to the Pakistan Foreign Office, that has been confirmed by the Indian High Commission,' said Awais Sheikh in a statement. 'But when no action for their release was taken by Government of Pakistan, we filed a writ petition in the High Court against their illegal detention, seeking immediate release.'

At the hearing of the writ petition today, Monday 31st Oct, the Chief Justice Lahore High Court called for a report of all Indian prisoners who have completed sentences but are not being released.

Pleading the case of the petitioners Satinder Pal and Karale Bhanudas, Advocate Awais Sheikh had argued that both countries are engaged in the illegal practice of keeping prisoners of each other's country in jail even after the completion of their sentence. 'This is illegal, unlawful and a violation of their human rights. They are the victims of politics and are being used as a tool.'

He said that that CJ asked him to raise a voice across the border and file petitions in their courts as well for Pakistani prisoners." 'I said that human rights lawyers in India have taken up such cases,' Awais Sheikh told The News. 'I am working for Pakistani prisoners too.'

He has earlier represented the case of a Pakistani prisoner who remained confined in Rajasthan jail after completing his term. 'With the help of my senior colleague former CJ Delhi High Court, Rajinder Sacher, he was released,' he said.

Through the media, Advocate Awais Sheikh, a long-time proponent of India-Pakistan friends and also the counsel of condemned Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, has requested relatives of Indian prisoners who completed their term of imprisonment but not been released to contact him immediately through his email (awaissheikhadvocate@hotmail.com) and/or cell number +92-300-8531792. The date of the next hearing before the Lahore High Court has been fixed for Nov 2, 2011.

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