PESHAWAR, April 28: Pakistan on Thursday deported two Tanzanian nationals arrested more than two years ago on suspicion of having links with Al-Qaeda, an official said. Moso Mohammad, 27, and Taha Yalfan, 28, were sent to Dubai from Peshawar airport for their onward journey to the Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salaam, a security official who requested anonymity told AFP.

The pair was apparently arrested in November 2002 in the tribal area while sneaking in from Afghanistan.

“My clients have been sent home after they were found innocent by the court,” lawyer Qazi Anwer told AFP.

A former legislator, Javed Ibrahim Paracha, had submitted an appeal for their release in Peshawar High Court.

“The court ordered the authorities to release both men on December 4, 2003, but they had to remain in jail awaiting their travel documents,” Paracha told AFP.

“What an injustice it was, that innocent Muslims were made to spend so many years in prison with no crime.”—AFP