Ansari, 33, was met at the border by members of his family in an emotional reunion
After spending 6 years in Pakistani jail Mumbai man Hamid Nehal Ansari was repatriated back to India. He met his father and mother at a tearful reunion. Hamid Nihal Ansari and his family are likely to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday.
Speaking to WION earlier, Nehal's mother thanked both governments of India and Pakistan and "all those people who helped us right from the beginning who stood on our side in our time of crisis.". Nehal's father, Nehal Ansari told WION, "We are very happy. no words to express our gratitude and happiness. our thanks to all the people from the govt of India and govt of Pakistan. so many people were supportive. "
It may be noted that Hamid Nehal Ansari was released on account of relentless Indian pressure over a long period of time. 96 note verbales were issued to Pakistan seeking consular access and clarity on the charges against him, on which India received no satisfactory response.
Keeping in mind the fact that the Court mandated sentence was coming to an end on December 16, India had upped the ante at multiple levels in the preceding weeks, seeking to ensure Ansari's release and quick repatriation to India.
Journalist Jatin Desai who accompanied the family till Wagah and has been credited for his release called on India and Pakistan to release more prisoner in each others custody. He told WION, " They need to be seen from a humanitarian perspective, which we don't. Hamid can set an example."
Earlier, welcoming Hamid's release, India said, "We would like Pakistan to take action to also end the misery of other Indian nationals and fishermen whose nationality has been confirmed and who have completed their sentences, but continue to languish in Pakistan jails."
Hamid Nehal Ansari went to Pakistan via Afghanistan after befriending a Pakistani girl whom he fell in love with. He went to Pakistan's Kohat on a fake passport and was arrested by security officials.
Hamid Nehal Ansari's case highlights the case of many Indian and Pakistani nationals languishing in each other's jails. As per India-Pakistan ‘Agreement on Consular Access’ signed on 21 May 2008, Delhi and Islamabad exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country lodged in the jails of the other on 1 January and 1 July of every year. According to the lists exchanged on 1 July 2018, there were 108 Pakistan fishermen and 249 Pakistan civilian prisoners in India’s custody. Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 418 fishermen and 53 civilian prisoners who are Indian or believed-to-be Indian in their jails.
The External Affairs Minister, in October 2017, suggested to the High Commissioner of Pakistan that the two sides could work together to resolve humanitarian issues related to elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners in each other’s custody and consider their early release and repatriation. It proposed to revive the mechanism of Joint Judicial Committee and that a team of Indian medical experts could be allowed to visit the mentally unsound prisoners with a view to facilitating their nationality verification and subsequent repatriation. Pakistan responded positively on 7 March 2018.
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