Time freezes for prisoners of enmity languishing in jails

_ A shepherd from Gujarat is lodged in a prison in Pakistan only because he crossed the border to bring back his sheep. He has been released by the Pakistani court, but he is still to be freed from jail.

_ A Pakistani marine vessel rescued 16 people from Gujarat after their ship sank in international waters when they were on their way to Dubai to work there as labourers. All the 16 are languishing in Pak jails for the last 8 years. 

_ Kuldeep Yadav, 40, an alleged spy from India and hailing from Gujarat, is lodged in a Karachi jail for 17 years. The Pak govt doesn't want to release him. The Indian government too has failed to provide any relief to his family so far.

These are some of the cases which were referred to a Pakistani delegation, who were on a two-day tour to Gujarat on September 17 and 18. The delegation was informed about many such cases which could be resolved immediately but so far have not been settled only due to the deteriorating relations between the two countries.

The delegation was told about five such cases wherein the accused have been either released by the Pak govt or should be released. Many cases referred to the delegation were of people who were for no valid reason lying in Pakistani jails. Sources said that there are many people in Pak jails from Kutch who had entered that country by mistake.

Talking to DNA on phone from Rajkot, a human rights activists and lawyer, MK Paal, said that the Pak delegation visited Rajkot on September 17, 2011 and they were told to give their attention to such cases. There are many instances of people from Gujarat being lodged in Pak jails for trivial issues.

Paal said that the delegation was told about the poor condition of their families. Of the 16 people who were rescued by a Pakistani marine vessel, 13 are Muslims and 3 are Hindus. "The Pakistani vessel saved their lives and took them to Pakistan, even though there were not in Pakistani waters," Paal said. Such cases should be immediately referred by the Pakistan government and the prisoners should be released. They were rescued on January 1, 2006 and since then are lodged in Pakistani jails.

The delegation comprised Nasir Zahid, retired judge, Supreme Court, Pakistan, Iqbal Haider, former Law Minister and former Attorney General, Pakistan, Karamat Ali, the founder president of Pak Fisher Folk Forum (PFFF) and Mohammad Ali Shah, a member of PFFF.

"The delegation has given a positive reply and assured us that something very concrete will be done in this regard very soon," Paal said.