LAHORE, Oct 28: Family of a Pakistani national languishing in an Indian jail has appealed to the president and prime minister to launch diplomatic efforts for his release.

At a protest demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club on Tuesday, around 50 relatives of Muhammad Javed of Dharampura, Lahore, alleged police had detained him when he went to India for medical treatment some 12 years back.

The protesters, who were carrying banners and placards, claimed Javed had been languishing in the Indian jail without any charge and justification.

Muhammad Shabbir, brother of Javed, speaking on the occasion, said Javed was a patient of hernia and went to India for a surgery. After six years of Javed’s ‘disappearance’, the family received his first phone call and came to know about his detention in India, he added.

One of Javed’s daughters believed he was innocent. She said the case of her father should also be seen from humanitarian angle like that of Indian spy Sarabjit Singh.— Staff Reporter