Pakistani scientist Mohammad Khalil Chisti talks to the media afterhis release from Ajmer jail, in Ajmer, India, Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Chisti, who was serving a life sentence in connection with a 1992 murder case, was granted bail by the Supreme Court Monday on humanita rian grounds, according to local news reports. (AP Photo/Deepak Sharma)
Pakistani scientist Mohammad Khalil Chisti talks to the media afterhis release from Ajmer jail, in Ajmer, India, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.    —Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Ailing Pakistani microbiologist Dr Mohammad Khalil Chishti is set to return to Pakistan today after the Indian Supreme court allowed him to travel back on human grounds, DawnNews reported.

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik will receive Dr Chishti on his return. Earlier the interior minister had a telephonic conversation with Dr Chishti in which he conveyed President Asif Ali Zardari’s message of well wishes to him.

The interior minister assured the Pakistani scientist of all arrangements having being made for his arrival according to the directions of President Zardari.

Earlier President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari had given instructions for his presidential aircraft to be made available to Dr Chishti for his  journey back home.

Pakistan’s first virologist, Dr Chishti was allowed to return back home after submission of half a million rupees as security on the directions of the Indian Supreme Court.  He had gone to India in 1992 to see his ailing mother where he was implicated in a murder case.

President Asif Ali Zardari had written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month, seeking Chisti’s release and repatriation to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds.

Opinion

Editorial

Hamas’s move
08 Jul, 2026

Hamas’s move

THE decision taken by Hamas to relinquish governance of Gaza appears to be designed to put the onus on the US and...
Terrorism threat
Updated 08 Jul, 2026

Terrorism threat

THE surge in terrorist violence in Balochistan highlights the renewed threat confronting Pakistan. The martyrdom of...
Football meddling
08 Jul, 2026

Football meddling

AFTER ending co-hosts America’s World Cup run in the last-16 stage, Belgium felt justice had been served. It was...
America at 250
07 Jul, 2026

America at 250

THOUGH America’s 250th independence anniversary observed on Saturday is a significant milestone, the celebrations...
Ravi encroachments
07 Jul, 2026

Ravi encroachments

SUPARCO’S satellite imagery reveals the rapid expansion of Lahore into the floodplains of the Ravi river, with the...
Misdirected justice
07 Jul, 2026

Misdirected justice

ACHILD will be tried in a court of law over January’s deadly Gul Plaza fire that claimed 72 lives, but not, it...