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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, seeking release and repatriation to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds of Dr Khalil Chishti, a Pakistani scientist facing murder charges in India.
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said the president made the appeal for the 80-year-old doctor’s release in a personal letter to Mr Singh.
“The letter was sent today (Friday) to Pakistan’s High Commissioner in India for onward delivery to the Indian prime minister,” Mr Babar said.
Dr Chishti, who went to India about 20 years ago to see his relatives, was arrested there for his alleged involvement in a murder case.
During his daylong visit to India on Sunday, President Zardari took up the matter with Mr Singh in New Delhi before he flew to Ajmer to pay his respects at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
The letter said that the Indian gesture would add momentum to the goodwill generated after a resumption of the composite dialogue process between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the president directed Interior Minister Rehman Malik to make arrangements for Dr Chishti’s arrival in Pakistan.
In a separate development, Pakistan repatriated 33 Indian prisoners on Friday as a goodwill gesture.
Following is the text of Mr Zardari’s letter to Prime Minister Singh: “Excellency, Allow me to express my profound thanks for your kind hospitality extended to me, to Bilawal and my entourage during our brief stay in New Delhi. The sumptuous lunch provided us an opportunity to discuss many issues of mutual interest. Excellency, during the course of our meeting, my Interior Minister, Mr. A. Rehman Malik broached the subject of Dr. Khalil Chishti’s prolonged incarceration in India with H.E. Mr. P. Chidambaram, Honourable Home Minister of India. I also beseeched your indulgence on this issue. I understand that mercy petition filed by Dr. Chishti is pending with the government of India.
In view of Dr. Christi’s advanced age and his precarious health condition, may I request Your Excellency to intervene in the matter and allow Dr. Chishti’s release and repatriation to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. Your kind gesture would add momentum to the goodwill generated after resumption of the Composite Dialogue between the two countries. Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.”
