Pakistani released from Indian jail reaches home

LAHORE: A Pakistani citizen was released from an Indian prison on Tuesday, after spending 25 years in the neighbouring country. The citizen named Sirajuddin Mohammad reached Pakistan after securing his freedom from the prison. The Ansar Burney Trust played a major role in bringing Siraj to Pakistan. Siraj erroneously made his way into India at the age of 11. After running away from his home in Mansehra, Siraj reached Lahore and mistakenly took Samjhota Express to India. After spending a great deal of time in India, Siraj married a woman from a Muslim family in 2005. In 2009, Siraj surrendered himself to the police and expressed the desire to go to Pakistan with his family. Following which the police sent him to jail, from where he gained freedom on Tuesday. An Indian NGO fought for Siraj’s right to Indian citizenship, however, he was sent to jail again. After Siraj’s plight made rounds on Indian media, the Ansar Burney Trust jumped into action to bring him home. After reaching Pakistan, Siraj was handed over to Edhi Welfare Organisation. Despite reaching his home country, Siraj’s heart aches for his wife, two twin sons and a daughter back in India.