Plea to release Pak prisoner

Chandigarh, Nov 1 (UNI) The case of another Pakistani civilian languishing in jail despite completion of the sentence figured in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today when a PIL praying for his release came up for preliminary consideration.

The plea for his release has been filed by World Human Rights Protection Council (WHRPC) through its president advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal.

A communication received by Mr Lakhanpal from the person, Mukhtiar Ahmed, is the basis for moving the court. According to details, he had come to India on a valid visa for visiting Muktsar and Amritsar but was arrested at Amritsar while he was on his way back home on grounds that he did not have a valid visa.

He was convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment, which ended in February this year, but continues to be lodged in jail in the absence of release orders.

After the preliminary hearing , Justice Tej Pratap Singh Mann notices for November nine to the home secretaries of the union government and the state of Punjab.

UNI XC PS RR BST2008