RAWALPINDI: The blasphemy convict, who had been shot and injured by a prison guard at the Adiala jail, has been shifted from the Holy Family Hospital to the Punjab Institute of Mental Health in Lahore on a special plane on Thursday.

Security sources confirmed that the 71 year-old British Pakistani man who had a history of mental illness has recovered from his injuries and his physical health has stabilized.

A deputy superintendent of police assisted by a police inspector accompanied the prisoner to Lahore.

Adiala jail Superintendent Malik Mushtaq Awan said the convict had been shifted to Lahore on the advice of doctors who believe that he needs further treatment.

“Doctors know best whether his treatment was possible in Rawalpindi or not,” he commented.

According to the sources, eight prison officials, including four officers, had already been suspended following the incident while a criminal case has been registered against the prison guard who shot the convict.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2014