IN the wake of the happenings in Afghanistan, the West has talked a lot about its apprehensions regarding possible violations of human rights in that country. This reminds one of Saifullah Paracha who has spent 16 years in Guantanamo without ever having been officially charged with even a petty crime, leave alone terrorism.

At 73, he is believed to be the oldest prisoner at the United States detention centre. He was believed to have links with Al Qaeda, and earlier this year the US authorities announced that his case had been finally approved for release.

He used to be the owner of an advertising agency in Karachi, and was an excellent human being who loved to serve the ailing humanity by donating to public- and private-sector health facilities substantially without any discrimination.

He helped me greatly in putting together the third unit of gynaecology and obstetrics along with two operation theatres at the Civil Hospital, Karachi (CHK), in 2002 when I was serving as the medical superintendent, and promised further support.

I hope and pray that he does get released soon, and may he have the courage to forget the torture he has gone through for being a philanthropist.

Dr Fateh M. Khan
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2021