Date:08/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/08/stories/2008030854831003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Noble gesture

The Pakistan government has extended a noble gesture by pardoning and releasing 65-year-old Kashmir Singh, a death row prisoner incarcerated in the Kot Lakhpat jail for 35 years.

His reunion with his family is the result of his strong will to survive for such a long period in confinement in a foreign country that is seen as a sworn enemy of India.

K.V. Seetharamaiah,

Hassan

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Hats off to Ansar Burney, Pakistan caretaker Minister for Human Rights, for his efforts to get Kashmir Singh released. Singh is very fortunate to have lived this long to experience freedom and reunite with his family, unlike Dilawar, the 22-year-old Afghan taxi driver, who died while in the custody of American troops, even though he was innocent.

May the tribe of Mr. Burney increase so that victims suffering humiliation and atrocities in various prisons in different parts of the world see the light of freedom.

A. Samshath,

Chennai