Pakistani boy awaits his 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' in India

Ghulam and his father were among 33 fishermen who were caught by the Indian coast guard last year


Web Desk September 05, 2015
PHOTO: TIMESOFINDIA

As India granted 88 Pakistani fishermen release, a father and son were separated when officials could not verify the identity of the 16-year-old, allowing only his father to travel back to Pakistan.

Ghulam and his father Jumman Jero were among 33 fishermen caught by a coast guard in Indian waters in March last year. They were taken to Dwarka after which they were transferred to Jamnagar.

While Jero and the other fishermen were kept in Jamnagar prison, 16-year-old Ghulam was sent to a juvenile home a few miles away.

On Eid in July 2015, Ghulam's father received release orders but Ghulam unfortunately did not as Indian authorities claimed Ghulam's nationality could not be verified.

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"As per procedure, we sent the father-son duo for consular access so their identity could be established," said Jagdish Patel, superintendent of police, Devbhoomi Dwarka, adding that, "Due to some reasons, the father got a confirmation and the son didn't."

Jero pleaded with Indian authorities to stay back with his son whose name did not appear in the list of 88 Pakistani fishermen who were being released in exchange for 163 Indian fishermen held in Pakistani jails; as a goodwill gesture between the two countries.

Read: Pakistan releases 183 Indian fishermen

As ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ played in theatres in both countries, a film that is based on a similar scenario, Ghulam and his father tearfully parted with each other, while Ghulam still awaits his release orders.

Former federal minister for human rights in Pakistan, Ansar Burney told Times of India "We have written to the Indian external affairs ministry and Pakistan's interior ministry to facilitate Ghulam's return."

Read: The taste of freedom: Authorities release 163 Indian fishermen

"We have urged the Pakistan government to furnish the necessary details about the boy's nationality," he added.

Ghulam, who greatly misses his family, mostly spends time alone. Having studied in an Urdu language school he is unable able to understand what is being taught at the juvenile centre in Gujrat medium school.

This article originally appeared on Times of India

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