Pakistani boy with disabilities kept in observation home in India

 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani boy with hearing and speech disabilities, found in Amritsar prison earlier, has been kept in an observation home in Faridkot, India.

According to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, they were in constant contact with the ministries of interior and foreign affairs in Pakistan and all other relevant authorities to authenticate the national status of the boy, named Hasnain, and find his family.

Observation homes are meant to temporarily keep juveniles during the period when an inquiry is pending on the child. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commission Counsellor Fozia Mansoor met the boy on November 21 during her consular access visit to Amritsar.

During the interaction, the boy communicated through hand gestures that he is from Pakistan. According to sources, Hasnain also recognised the photo of Muhammad Ali Jinnah immediately and drew the Pakistani flag. He was able to write a few words in Urdu but did not recognise Hindi script, as per a statement.

Pakistan High Commission was also in contact with the relevant Indian authorities to repatriate Hasnain to his home country at the earliest.

Earlier, the Indian authorities had said the boy was arrested on May 17.

In November, a woman along with her 11-year-old daughter and sister was freed from Amritsar prison and sent to Pakistan.

According to sources, the two sisters, Fatima and Mumtaz, and their mother Rasheedan Bibi went to India via Samjhota Express in 2006, where they were arrested on charges of smuggling drugs.

Fatima, who was pregnant at the time of the arrest, delivered her baby in the jail. The girl named Hina, now 10 years old, has also been sent back.