The miserable condition of prisoners detained under the Foreign Act (Pakistan) demanded serious attention as scores of Indian prisoners are locked up in different central jails of Balochistan. SEHER, a Pakistani organization based in Quetta, has responded to the needs of these prisoners.

SEHER has started working for prisoners in Balochistan as pilot phase for foreign act prisoners along with the prisoners’ like juveniles, women and senior citizen prisoners and intends to extend its services to the national and regional level. SEHER assessed the needs of the prisoners and in its first effort succeeded in facilitating the process of releasing the 32 Indian prisoners today from Quetta Central jail. These prisoners will stay for a short while in Lahore and then will be handed over to the concerned Indian government department on March 21, 2005 at Wagha Boarder as discussed by the high officials of Pakistan and India.

SEHER made travel arrangements for the released Indians and SEHER’s senior employees and Lawyers are accompanying the Indian till Wahga to further facilitate the process of travel and repatriation. SEHER also in contact with the families of these Indians and has ensured that the relatives of the released Indians could come to border on March 21st 20005 in their handing over ceremony.

Abdul Wadood, SEHER’s Executive Director said, “Hundreds of foreign prisoners have spent more time in the prisons than their original punishment and many more are still locked up behind the bars that might have been released if speedy justice had been provided. SEHER has successfully helped the administration to release these Indian prisoners which will facilitate our Honorable President Musharaf’s efforts towards an Indo-Pak friendly relationship. Mr. Wadood thanked Mr. Khushdil Khan, Regional Director LU&HR, IG Prisoners, Mr. Aijaz Jaffar, Mr. Samad Niazi and ZiaUllah Khan Tareen, Superintendent of Mach and Quetta Jails, and staff of Quetta Jail and to SEHER’s Lawyer Forum members for their support and cooperation”.

SEHER’s efforts to bring justice to foreign act prisoners do not only end inside the bars rather SEHER provided transportation till Wahga border, food and presents to the released Indian prisoners.

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