THE Indian Supreme Court has rightly felt the pain of the plight of mentally-disabled Pakistani prisoners languishing in Indian jails for years. Justice R.M Lodha was referring to 21 prisoners, 16 of whom are now mentally not sound and the other five are deaf and dumb.

More painful is the fact that they have been kept imprisoned despite serving their sentences.

The court was justified to comment that such a humanitarian issue should be taken up during the highest-level meetings between the two countries.

Hundreds of ordinary people, farmers and fishermen of both countries are facing the wrath of hatred for visa violations, false espionage charges, entering other country’s waters for fishing or just crossing the unmarked/ non-fenced border by mistake.

One may presume that such issues as directly impact thousands of families across the border will be on top of the agenda during Pakistan-India meetings.

It is a pity we always discuss land disputes — Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, etc.

Perhaps, ordinary people are not important for the top brass representing these two countries.

Anyhow, we should welcome the Indian Supreme Court’s order to grant bail to 80-year-old Pakistani virologist Dr Khalil Chishti. It was a good gesture on the part of court after the recent Zardari-Manmohan meeting.

Last year, Dr Chishti was given a life sentence in a case which lingered on in Indian courts for 19 years. Hopefully, the court will help his extradition to Pakistan as well. Perhaps we are tuning a new page in our bitter history book.

M. KHAN Jubail

Dr Chishti DR Mohammad Khalil Chishti, who remained in jail for 20 years in Ajmer, has finally been released on bail by the Indian Supreme Court. Human rights activists worked hard for his release.

The unfortunate doctor was implicated in a murder case some 20 years ago and since then he had been in different jails seeking justice.

It is hoped that other Pakistanis languishing in Indian jails would also be released as a goodwill gesture and Pakistan acts vice versa.

This incident shows the flaws present in the justice system of the subcontinent that has deprived a doctor of 20 years of his life. Had speedy trial been done, things would have been quite different. The moments of joy and sorrow he missed cannot be retrieved.

Congratulations to Dr Chishti and his family.

Meaningful efforts should be made by the government for bringing back the doctor to Pakistan so that he may spend the remaining of his life with his family and countrymen.

IFTIKHAR MIRZA Islamabad