LHC postpones Surjeet Singh release petition hearing to February 27

Hearing postponed after the Ministry of Interior failed to submit its reply.

LAHORE: Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik of Lahore High Court on Tuesday postponed for February 27 the proceedings on a petition seeking release and inclusion of Indian prisoner Surjeet Singh alias Makhan Singh’s name in the list of foreigner prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails despite completing their respective jail terms.

The judge deferred the hearing since the reply sought from the interior ministry was not submitted. The petitioner, advocate Awais Sheikh has requested the court to issue directions to the secretary of foreign affairs and superintendent of central jail Lahore to include name of prisoner Surjeet Singh alias Makhan Singh in the list of foreigner prisoners who have already completed their jail term.

On Tuesday, the superintendent of the Kot Lakhpat central jail, Lahore, submitted his report which stated that the jail term of the Indian national had expired a year ago but his fate could only be decided after direction from General Head Quarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi and the presidency. He also stated that he had written four different letters to inspectorate of prison Punjab and Punjab home department for guidance for his office in light of direction by GHQ Rawalpindi.

The superintendent stated that Surjeet Singh was in the jail since October 31, 1985 being convicted and sentenced to death under section 59-PAA by the commanding officer of the 106 Brigade Headquarter, Lahore Cantt. The prisoner had also submitted his mercy petition before the chief of army staff which was rejected, but carried comments that the plea ought to be forwarded to the President of Pakistan.

He stated that Surjeet Singh mercy petition was subsequently forwarded to the president of Pakistan on December 24, 1985 but during the pendency of the mercy petition, the president of Pakistan granted general amnesty to all condemned prisoners.

He stated that sentence of Surjeet Singh was commuted from death to life imprisonment in compliance with orders of the president of Pakistan and from December 8, 1988, and has been since treated as a prisoner serving a life term. In all, the information and correspondence with the Punjab secretary home, and inspector general of prisons Punjab his status is mentioned as a prisoner convicted for life.

Surjeet Singh’s sentence had expired on October 30, 2010 but in light of direction of GHQ his mercy petition was referred to the president. No information of progress with regards to the petition has been received from any quarters.