ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has requested Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release Dr Khalil Chishti and repatriate him to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds.
Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President made this request in a personal letter addressed to the Indian Prime Minister.The letter was sent on Friday to Pakistan's High Commissioner in India for onward delivery to the Indian Prime Minister, he said.
Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President had taken up this matter with the Indian Prime Minister during his meeting with Manmohan Singh in New Delhi last Sunday while on way to Ajmer Sharif.
The president's letter also said that this gesture would add momentum to the good will generated after resumption of the composite dialogue between the two countries.
Following is the text of the letter: "Excellency, Allow me to express my profound thanks for your kind hospitality extended to me, to Bilawal and my entourage during our brief stay in New Delhi. The sumptuous lunch provided us an opportunity to discuss many issues of mutual interest.
Excellency, during the course of our meeting, my Interior Minister, A. Rehman Malik broached the subject of Dr Khalil Chishti's prolonged incarceration in India with P. Chindambaram, Home Minister of India. I also beseeched your indulgence on this issue.
I understand that mercy petition filed by Dr Chishti is pending with the Government of India.
In view of Dr Chishti's advanced age and his precarious health condition, may I request Your Excellency to intervene in the matter and allow Dr Chisti's release and repatriation to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. Your kind gesture would add momentum to the good will generated after resumption of the Composite Dialogue between the two countries.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration."
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