Family of jailed Pakistani driver in IoK seek his release

SARAAR, Punjab: The family of a Pakistani truck driver imprisoned in India Occupied Kashmir (IoK) is pleading with authorities for his release on humanitarian grounds.

Shafiq Awan arrested in January 2014 in IoK was accused by Indian officials of smuggling heroin. A resident of Sarrar in Punjab, Awan’s family said he was only the driver of the truck and it belonged to someone else.

A father of three, Awan’s children are concerned over the fate of their father. His wife said the children were unable to study due to separation from their father.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneen Aslam said that despite Pakistan’s insistence, India is yet to initiate a probe into Awan’s case.