KARACHI, June 24: Two African women convicts, who had completed their sentences but were unable to return home, have been sent back to their country of origin with the assistance of philanthropists, it is learnt.

Azizat Atinuke, a Nigerian national who had been awarded three-year term for trying to smuggle out heroine after being caught at the Karachi Airport on June 2, 2003, was sent back to Lagos, Nigeria, via Dubai on June 23.

The FIR (No. 25/03) was registered against her under sections 6/9b. Her term was reduced during her detention period.

Awa Aziz, also a Nigerian, had been caught on similar charges at the same airport in May 2004. She had been brought to the Special Prison for Women on May 14, 2004 and the FIR (No.91/04) had been registered against her under section 9b. She was sentenced to a two-year term and while in prison, she had given birth to a son. She left for Abidjan, Nigeria, along with her son via Dubai on June 21.

Superintendent of the prison Sheeba Shah told Dawn that the two prisoners appeared unable to afford air tickets. Therefore, the jail authorities approach some philanthropists who arrange their tickets. The philanthropists had chosen to be anonymous.

She said that over the past few months, some 10 women prisoners had been repatriated as they had completed their terms but lacked the money sufficient for their return home.