FAISALABAD, Feb 23: The Pakistan High Commissioner on Friday foiled an attempt by Indian officials to take Rana Shaukat (the Pakistani who lost five children in the Samjhota Express blast) and his relatives to the scene of the tragedy, Mr Shaukat’s nephew told Dawn in an interview from Panipat.

The Indian government on Friday allowed Shaukat Ali to return home under strict security after the completion of his interrogation.

Rana Shaukat told Dawn on phone from Panipat that security officials had interrogated him exhaustively about the bombing. “I am being treated here as if I know everything about the incident and the media is after me. Even as I speak to you, a number of journalists are outside the Pakistan High Commission’s temporary office here for my trial.”

He said the Indian government would pay him Rs100,000 each as compensation for the bodies.

About arrangements for his security, Mr Shaukat said: “My security will be strict and the Indian government has asked our High Commissioner to make foolproof arrangements. Security personnel have also weighed the vehicle which would carry us to Pakistan.”

Rana Shaukat said he was satisfied with the hospital staff, but was scornful of the media. “They want stories for their publications at a time when I am not in my senses because of the death of my five children.”

Shabbir Ahmed, nephew of Rana Shaukat, told Dawn that the Indian government had earlier barred his uncle from returning to Pakistan because they needed ‘his help’ in investigations. “They have now interrogated him in detail and cleared him for travel. All documents have been completed with the help of the Pakistan High Commission.”

However, Mr Shabbir added, Indian officials had refused to specify the date and time of Mr Shaukat’s homeward journey for ‘security reasons’. “We have been detained in a camp by the Indian government and told to remain in the camp.”

Shabbir and his father Rana Liaqat Ali had gone to India to bring the injured and the bodies back to Pakistan. “We have made a request to the (Indian) government for the custody of the bodies,” he said.

He revealed that doctors from the Indian hospital would accompany them to Wagah.

When asked why the bodies were not put on the plane sent by the Pakistan government on Thursday, Mr Shabbir said: “Bodies of children had not been identified when the plane arrived in India.”

Rana Shaukat and his family had gone to Charolhi, near New Delhi, to attend the wedding of Shabbir Ahmed, Shaukat’s nephew. The ill-fated family had extended its stay after the marriage, waiting for the completion of travel documents of Shabbir’s wife, an Indian national.

Indian authorities have told Shabbir’s wife and her father, Jannat Ali, not to travel to Pakistan, Khalid, Shabbir’s brother-in-law, told Dawn. “The reason is best known to the authorities concerned,” Khalid added.