LAHORE, Oct 18: The release of an Indian prisoner, Kashmir Singh, from a Pakistani prison six months ago had rekindled hope among the family members of Rizwanul Haq, a Lahorite detained in New Delhi for the last 13 years or so, they too would hear some good news, but they are still waiting.

Much publicised Kashmir Sing episode, handled by rights activist Ansar Burney, then federal human rights minister, encouraged Haq’s family to vigorously pursue his case. They also sought help from Mr Burney as well as Foreign Office to secure the release of Haq from Tihar Jail (New Delhi).

“It was November 1995 when my brother left for India along with his friends to participate in New Year celebrations there against the wish of our mother,” said Ahtesham, one of the four brothers of Rizwan (39), the eldest. The family lives in Lahore’s Mozang area.

“We came to know about Rizwan’s arrest in the mid of 1996 through his letter. The New Dehli police had booked him for keeping ‘explosive material and drugs’. He was severely tortured to accept the crime he never committed. He is still an under-trail prisoner despite the lapse of 13 years that shows the cases are fake and fabricated,” Ahtesham said.

“In fact Rizwan had an argument with police at a picket in New Delhi which landed him in hot water. The Indian police are very suspicious of visiting Pakistanis as they are under the impression that all Pakistanis coming to their country must have some fishy business there,” he added.

He further said Rizwan had developed multiple medical complications as he was kept under unhygienic conditions during the captivity.

“We fear if he is not immediately provided with proper medical care he may lose his life.”

Ehtesham said the family had written several times to the Ansar Burni Trust, seeking help for Rizwan’s release but they never got any reply.

“The foreign ministry, however, has taken up the case and directed the Pakistan High Commission at New Delhi to secure early release of Rizwan,” he added.

The Foreign Office in its April 10, 2008, letter had informed the Pakistan High Commission that it had received an application from Rizwan’s mother. “The mission is requested to kindly approach the concerned authorities in India for early release/repatriation of Mr Rizwanul Haq (s/o Munirul Haq). The high commission has already issued emergency passport (SS382629) in respect of Rizwan,” the letter says.

Advocate Bakhtiar Kasuri, who is looking after the case, told Dawn that it was very unfortunate that Rizwan’s matter had not been decided despite the fact he had served more than a life term in the Indian prison.

He said there were at least 643 Pakistani prisoners in India jails while New Dehli claimed they were total 378. “During a visit of Indo-Pak judicial committee, the Indian authorities only produced 131 Pakistani prisoners before it.”

Mr Kasuri said that on last Sunday, a Pakistani, Asif, died in an Indian prison. Though he had completed his one- year term for allegedly violating the Indian Passport Act the complicated process hampered his early repatriation. His body was still lying there, he added.

“To deal with such cases, the government will have to press the Indian authorities to ensure that no Pakistani could languish in the jail after completing his or her term. Similarly, there should be prompt decision on the cases of under-trial prisoners,” he added.