India on Monday handed over a 12-year-old Pakistani boy to Pakistani authorities at Wagah Border crossing.

The boy with hearing and speech disabilities was arrested by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) for illegally entering India on May 17 last year, Dawn reported.

Hasnain Javed, of Bhambay Jhugian, Lahore had gone missing on May 1 and a report was lodged by his family with the Shadbagh police on May 2.

Later, the family of the boy identified him after watching news on TV channels. They reported that a deaf and mute boy was arrested by BSF for entering India without legal documents on May 17 and was sent to Amritsar jail.

On Dec 19, an Indian Juvenile Justice Board had released the boy because he had completed his sentence for the offence of entering India without valid documents.

Later, this was conveyed to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

A Pakistani consular official accompanied the child to the Wagah Border, where Pakistan Rangers received him and handed him over to his family.

An official of the Child Welfare and Protection Bureau in Lahore earlier told Dawn that the boy was released from jail by the Indian court.

He said they had received direction from the ministry of foreign affairs to complete all legal formalities for shifting the boy to his family.

The boy was being held at a rehabilitation centre after being released from the jail.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...