Pakistani scientist Mohammad Khalil Chisti talks to the media afterhis release from Ajmer jail, in Ajmer, India, Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Chisti, who was serving a life sentence in connection with a 1992 murder case, was granted bail by the Supreme Court Monday on humanita rian grounds, according to local news reports. (AP Photo/Deepak Sharma)
Pakistani scientist Mohammad Khalil Chisti talks to the media afterhis release from Ajmer jail, in Ajmer, India, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.    —Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Ailing Pakistani microbiologist Dr Mohammad Khalil Chishti is set to return to Pakistan today after the Indian Supreme court allowed him to travel back on human grounds, DawnNews reported.

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik will receive Dr Chishti on his return. Earlier the interior minister had a telephonic conversation with Dr Chishti in which he conveyed President Asif Ali Zardari’s message of well wishes to him.

The interior minister assured the Pakistani scientist of all arrangements having being made for his arrival according to the directions of President Zardari.

Earlier President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari had given instructions for his presidential aircraft to be made available to Dr Chishti for his  journey back home.

Pakistan’s first virologist, Dr Chishti was allowed to return back home after submission of half a million rupees as security on the directions of the Indian Supreme Court.  He had gone to India in 1992 to see his ailing mother where he was implicated in a murder case.

President Asif Ali Zardari had written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month, seeking Chisti’s release and repatriation to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds.

Opinion

Editorial

May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...
Narcotic darkness
08 May, 2024

Narcotic darkness

WE have plenty of smoke with fire. Citizens, particularly parents, caught in Pakistan’s grave drug problem are on...
Saudi delegation
08 May, 2024

Saudi delegation

PLANS to bring Saudi investment to Pakistan have clearly been put on the fast track. Over the past month, Prime...
Reserved seats
Updated 08 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The truth is that the entire process — from polls, announcement of results, formation of assemblies and elections to the Senate — has been mishandled.