Two Indian women in Pak jail even after being acquitted

Lahore, Jul 6: A Pakistani court here has taken suo moto notice of the incarceration of two Indian women in a prison here and has sought a report from authorities after they wrote to a judge seeking help.

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry acted after Parveen Jahan and Gul Afroz, who are being held in Kot Lakhpat Jail, wrote a letter to him saying that they had been acquitted in a case but so far they were not released.

Both said that being Indian nationals they were not being released from jail as their passports and other documents were in possession of the provincial Home Secretary for clearance. They sought help for their release and return to India.

The Chief Justice took suo moto notice of their letter and converted it into a writ petition.

He directed the Home Secretary of Punjab province and the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to submit a report on the matter by July 11.

He also directed Additional Advocate General Muhammad Hanif Khatana to ensure that authorities complied with the court's order and assist it in the matter.

PTI