More than a year after Versova-based management graduate Hamid Ansari allegedly went missing in Pakistan, his family has started an online petition to bring him back to the country.
With the help of Jas Uppal, Sarabjit Singh’s lawyer from the UK, the Ansari family has launched a petition called “Demand the release and return of Hamid Ansari to his family in India”. At least 1,000 signatures are required before the family could register the petition with the prime ministers of both India and Pakistan. The petition which was launched two days ago has already received more than 90 signatures.
Over the past one year, Hamid’s family has been running from pillar to post to see the 28-year-old man back home. So far, they have approached the ministry of external affairs, the chief minster’s office, MPs, MLAs, embassies, NGOs as well as Pakistani authorities, but to no avail. However, after sailor Sunil James was released from a Togo jail last week, they have decided to launch this campaign.
“Many people supported James’ cause and they launched petitions to campaign for his release.
His cause was also backed by many ministers and this obviuosly helped in his release. I’m hoping that a signature campaign of this sort will help me bring back my son. I will be approaching a few MPs for support,” said Fauzia Ansari, Hamid’s mother.
Hamid had gone to Kabul in Afghanistan for a job interview in November 2012. When his parents did not hear from him for a while, they learnt through Facebook posts and conversations that he had allegedly entered Peshawar in Pakistan without valid documents to rescue a friend who was being forced to marry against her wishes.
The MBA graduate’s story was reported by dna in April.
“Hamid enjoys protection and rights under the Constitution of India and this extends and covers his disappearance outside India. It is not known what efforts the Indian authorities have made or what response has been received from the Afghani and/or Pakistani authorities in the 13 months of his disappearance. There should be an open dialogue through diplomatic channels to locate him. It requires maturity on the part of the countries concerned to facilitate the same. With this petition, we hope that more people will come forward to support this cause so that the authorities take immediate steps for his rescue and return,” said Uppal.
Recently, a bench of the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to look into the matter and to submit a status report on Hamid’s whereabouts.
To support the signature campaign log on to: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/ 695/295/748/demand-the-release-and-return-of-hamid-nehal-ansari-to-his-family-in-india/
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