LAHORE  - The Lahore High Court on Monday, expressing dissatisfaction over the reply submitted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding detention of Pakistani nationals at Bagram Jail of Afghanistan, directed the federal government to come up with a solid answer on the next date of hearing.
Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan of the LHC was hearing a petition seeking release of Pakistani nationals detained at Bagram Jail by the US forces. The judge issued notice to federal government to come up with a solid answer in the case.
Appearing on behalf of JPP, Barrister Sarah Bilal in response to the ministry’s answer stated that the comments submitted were insufficient to divulge details of the Pakistani citizens due to be released in the next tranche of release.
She further informed the court that names of the previous tranche of Pakistani prisoners repatriated was issued one year in advance of their release.
The ministry in its reply submitted that they did not have a final schedule for future releases agreed with US authorities. The ministry also acknowledged the need to transfer all Pakistani citizens detained at Bagram to Pakistan before the Nato/US pullout till December 31, 2014.
Sarah Bilal, Director of JPP, said: “We cannot stress enough on the need for transparency about future releases of detainees. The experience from November’s release shows that Pakistanis released from Bagram and repatriated are at a danger of being held incommunicado.”
The JPP in its petition had sought directions for release and return of 25 Pakistani citizens detained at the Bagram Jail by the US. It said Pakistani citizens had been detained at Bagram Jail without any charge or trial since 2003. It alleged that they were abducted from Pakistan and removed to the infamous US prison in Afghanistan.
The court adjourned the hearing till April 02.