Ajmer: Ailing Pakistani scientist Mohammed Khalil Chishty was on Wednesday released on bail from Ajmer jail in a two-decade-old murder case and said he was hopeful that Sarabjit Singh and other prisoners languishing in each other's country would get justice.
Freed after over 14-month incarceration, 80-year-old Chishty said he was thankful to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for taking up his case with India.
"Zardari made efforts for me, I am thankful to him. I know Zardari's family since my childhood days. I also thank him for visiting Ajmer," he said.
Dressed in a white safari suit and a skull cap, Chishty was granted bail on humanitarian grounds by the Supreme Court on Monday, a day after his case was discussed between the authorities of the two countries during Zardari's visit.
"I am not a free bird yet but I am happy to be out of the jail and want to breathe fresh air. I believe in God and thank him. Now, I wish to go to my country as soon as possible and meet my family members," Chishty, who was serving life term after being convicted in Januray 2011, said.
Chishty's brother Jamil Chisti and cousin Aaiyad Anwar-ul-Haq along with others gave him a warm welcome as he was brought out from Ajmer central jail premises in an ambulance at 4.15 pm. But as a battery of mediapersons crowded around the vehicle, he was taken to a guest house where he interacted with the media for over 90 minutes.
After furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and two securities of 50,000 each in a fast track court, his brothers went to the jail where he was released after completion of formalities.
Puffing a 'bidi', a relieved Chishty said while he was eagerly waiting to go back home, this will not be his last visit to India. "I may not make this trip to India my last trip as I wish to visit India again once I am allowed to go to Pakistan," he said.
While granting bail, the apex court had directed Chishty not to leave the country without prior permission from court.
When asked about the case of Indian convict Sarabjit Singh, who is on death row in Pakistan and is lodged in a jail there for 22 years, Chishty said, "My well wishes are always with him and his family members.... Every prisoner be it Indian or Pakistani is a human being first so there should be justice with every prisoner."
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