KARACHI, Aug 14: An injured under-trial prisoner in the District Jail of Malir, Mohammad Farrukh Khan, son of Mohammad Miankhan, in his appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan has stated that some of the stitches of his leg injury had opened but the medical officer of the jail was not referring him for a surgery.

The UTP has sent copies of his appeal to Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Sabihuddin Ahmed and the special judge-II of the control narcotics substance (CNS), Clifton. He stated that taking action on his application, the special judge-I of the CNS had ordered the submission of a report within two days but the order had not been obeyed despite the lapse of a month.

He stated that owing to “the delaying tactics” of the medical officer, the remaining stitches were also opening and due to the deep wound he felt severe pain while walking.

Mr Khan said that before his arrest in February 2007, his doctor had advised him another surgery, especially because of the rod fixed in the leg which, he said, was in the knowledge of the judge of the special court of CNS.

The accused, being tried in a case (FIR NO 02/07) under Section 6/9-C of the Control of Narcotics Substance Act and has been in the jail since February 17, 2007, feared that if the surgery of his leg was further delayed, he would permanently lose his ability to walk. He said he was the only earning member of his family comprising his wife and small children and the delay in his treatment would cause serious problem to him and his family.

When contacted, the deputy superintendent of the prison said he had personally visited the UTP and confirmed that he was in trouble.

“I asked him to come to my office on Aug 15 to discuss the problem and to take further steps in this regard,” said the official.

He said because of the public holiday, the medical officer was also not available and he would certainly take steps to provide medical treatment to the UTP.