The Pakistani Spectator

Inducted in Indian army in 1962, remain attached to the intelligence wing of Indian army till 1970. Transferred from Indian army to police department, in 1971.remain Attached with the department till 1972.thereafter, shown as discharged on papers and record. June 1973 his family was informed that he has been convicted in Pakistan along with his friend for spying, by rwp police. In 1977 his wife was intimated that he is awaiting death warrant for espionage.

It is said that during his detention period his family was looked after by intelligence wing of Indian police with a fixed monthly stipend. The grieved sons were also sent to Italy by the govt. of India for his services.

The stunt show started when caretaker minister for human rights Mr. Ansar Burney who like always directed his attention to a probable case which can again uplift the profile of respective activist in the contest of his services as minister or human right activist. The honorable minister came across the spy in kot lukhpat jail during his official visit or perhaps preplanned visit .Minister being full of valor and enthusiasm to do something for humanity and his name promised the grieved to take necessary action for his release .hence with the self concerned motive and need to accomplished mission that has never been precedence ,initiated his actions and after stress full episode, he went of successfully and willfully with the help of highest office of the nation .

It was a great achievement, by the flag bearer looking after human right affairs.

It was a fabulous open air show when kasmir Singh came out of the jail along with Pakistani representation in front of heavy crowd and media.

At a glance and first glimpse, any one unaware of the background, could predict that some very well known leader might have been in release by dictator.

This man was Kashmir Singh, an espionage , who by virtue of the said minister and his unfamiliarity and traditional requirement of security and surveillance and with the theory of integrity of nation has granted the individual a life time reception improvising and dictating to the world that what was done to the culprit was probably wrong .

The chap was rewarded with claps, hugs, showered and sprayed with flowers along with overwhelmed excited coverage of the media. He was being honored a night stay at one of the finest hotel in the country at the cost of ,perhaps the government .In due course he was also taken to his place of worship by the flag bearer of human rights Asma Jhangir and Ansar Burni with many others, in a ministerial protocol and flag laden car ,so to gratitude the individual of what he is being doing to the nation .the individual was also honored the best treatment during the course of handing over at wagha border by interviews and hugs to enlighten the candle and gesture to the Indian that we being nation are unaware of our security and policies to safe guard and secure nation. High pitched emotional interview full of humanly attitude was the classical sight of the sad scene .television coverage with offered telephonic conversation of the spouse was the classical romantic dilemma of the show.

After the week amid joy and laughter, Pakistanis assembled again at the same point to receive the body of an innocent Pakistani cricket-lover as symbol and insignia of gesture, friendship and love. Mehmood had visited India to watch the Pak-India cricket series, and was reportedly picked up by Indian secret agencies.

Indian media reported that Mehmood had died of severe torture at the hands of Indian jail officials.

Although it would have been apart of rectification by the concerned minister to receive the same on the border thus making the grief family as part of condolence and element of console but I think the cheer and element of elevating the profile was not the expected mode this time.

Then same story that bears resemblance is of sepoy maqbol Hussain who was arrested and convicted in 1965. He was released by Indian authorities on 12 September 2005. After 40 years of imprisonment he was delivers to Pakistan as bearably alive body and is under treatment in military hospital rwp .Although being representative of the human rights and so called activist neither of the so called chair bearer visited and exploited the issue.

Similar episode of conviction took place when two Pakistani business men were arrested in India and were then delivered to Pakistan so to perform burial .although the case was pleaded and requested by the ambassador at large, but the sanctity to grant the pardon never reverted as fate.

Bhago Begum, a Pakistani citizen, who was freed last year from an Indian jail, described the environment as “dreadful” as to the conditions suffered by Pakistani prisoners. She termed the authorities of Indian jails “heartless”, as Pakistani prisoners remained a target of routine “physical abuse” and verbal humiliation at the hands of Indian officials.

There are many other Pakistani nationals who continue to suffer at the hands of the Indian authorities without trial. Many of the prisoners have not even been granted consular access, which is mandatory under international conventions that both Pakistan and India are signatory.

The Asian Age reported that, a 60-year-old Pakistani Mukhtar Ahmad of Kasur, currently in Amritsar’s high-security central jail, has spent 17 years in various prisons across India. In the contest of the said prisoner, remarks by jail authority qualify the untoward, in human behavior of the said nation as

“We have no ulterior interest in retaining these people. But we can only follow the instructions from Delhi,” said Superintendent SP Singh.

Ranjan Lakhanpal, a Chandigarh-based lawyer and civil liberties activist, fought for three years for the release of Fida Hussain and five other Pakistanis who had languished in Indian jails years beyond their sentences.

Despite that Kashmir Singh being convicted and proved as spy, the truth that has self brevetted by himself as agent, the grey-haired Singh looked physically fit and cheerful after his release. This is in sharp contrast to the miserable condition of Pakistani prisoners languishing in Indian jails, which unlike Singh do not catch the attention of human rights activists.

Past experience shows that Delhi could well remain silent for years. The apparent lethargy on the part of the Indian bureaucracy in processing the cases of the 48 Pakistanis in Amritsar’s Jail is surprising. The more astonishing is the role of these activists who always sorts cases that has some vocabulary in the contest of media and profile and of course projection in a long run.

KASHMIR SINGH (THE INDIAN SPY) —-found a safe passage with the help of dedicated effort of Mr. ansar Burni of human rights and special kindness of president Musharraf…..both person did a matchless job for India ……..but this constitutional exercise of power that is been granted be constrained in the light of national security and integrity of the country and not on the request of moron like ansar Burni.

During the trial in 1970s, Singh had repeatedly denied his affiliations as agent with Indian military intelligence.

Talking to the media, Singh termed his release a “humanitarian gift from President Pervez Musharraf.”

Singh was arrested in 1973 in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi. His cover story was that he was a trader in electronic goods traveling on business.

Singh was convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a military court despite repeated denials that he was a spy. The government convicted Singh’s execution in the late 1970s but the case languished.

As to the conviction Singh said “Yes, I was accused of espionage and smuggling. I did not do anything of that sort and they found nothing on me when they arrested me,” Singh told reporters after his release on Monday in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.

Kashmir Singh, after crossing border into India, at the India- Pakistan joint border check post, at Wagha, India, after spending 35 years in Pakistani prisons for espionage, admitted being a spy for the Indian military.

“I did the duty assigned to me as a spy … I was a regular recruit,” “I did not open my mouth for 35 years in Pakistan.”

Burney said he worked to free Singh “on humanitarian grounds for a man who was in jail” for 35 years, adding he still planned to work to free other Pakistani and Indian prisoners. His unconditional release was partly meant to reduce the deep-rooted enmity between the South Asian rivals, who have detained many of each other’s citizens.

”It doesn’t matter what his crime was. He spent 35 years in prison. It was too long,” said Burney.[33]

The Pakistani minister Mr. Ansar Burni, who was instrumental in freeing Singh, said he did not know he was a spy.

“I am shocked to hear these statements,” Pakistan Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney told CNN-IBN, a private TV news channel in India.

“It will surely make it difficult for Indian prisoners in Pakistan and Pakistani prisoners in India.” His unconditional release was partly meant to reduce the deep-rooted enmity between the South Asian rivals, who have detained many of each other’s citizens.

Singh received a hero’s welcome when he walked across the border and was greeted by his wife bearing flowers and sweets.

The two countries have arrested many of each other’s citizens, including fishermen and others who say they accidentally strayed across the border. Some are imprisoned for years on espionage charges, usually with no contact with their families.

India says there are some 600 other Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails. Pakistan said there are some 200 of its nationals in Indian jails.

Talking to TOI over the phone Nearly 2,000 Indians are believed to be languishing in Pakistani jails presently. “Yes,” he replied. ,.[29]

It’s no surprise that human rights activists say they are convinced their number is much more.[43] The two countries frequently arrest each other’s citizens, including many fishermen and others who say they strayed across the border inadvertently. Many are accused of spying and held for years, usually with no contact with their families.[31] Pakistan and India, which have fought three wars in the 60 years since independence from Britain, frequently arrest each other’s citizens, including many fishermen and others who say they strayed across the border inadvertently. Many are accused of spying and held for years, usually with no contact with their families.[25]

According to sources, Burney learnt of Singh in December and began working for his release, finally persuading President Pervez Musharraf to grant clemency.

An official in the Ministry of Human Rights told APP that the Indian native and trader, was nabbed some 35 years ago on charges of espionage and was subsequently awarded death sentence. A delegation comprising Hindu community leaders had met Ansar Burney some 12 years back and sought his help as social worker, he added. During one of the recently concluded visits by the Minister to different jails of the country, he came across a jail mate, Kashmir Singh, now known as Ibrahim. This brought to his mind the request made by Hindu community leaders about 12 years ago.

According to one of the official in ministry, Mr. Burni was first informed about the case several years ago by members of the Indian community in London. However he was unable to locate Singh, despite visiting more than 20 jails across the country in connection The Minister took up the issue and sent a report to the President for the release of Kashmir Singh on humanitarian grounds.

Burney is currently the government’s caretaker minister for human rights. Burney said that Singh had been held in a condemned prisoner’s cell for most of the time since his conviction, and had become mentally ill. Mr. Burney said that he learnt of Mr. Singh’s case in December during a visit to his jail and pleaded with President Musharraf to grant him clemency on humanitarian grounds.[35] [16]

Burney said the prisoner had become “mentally disabled” after spending three and a half decades without ever seeing the sky or receiving a single visitor. Musharraf expressed “shock and disbelief” when informed about the case and accepted a mercy petition before issuing orders for Singh’s release and repatriation with his campaign for prison reforms and prisoners’ rights.[22]

The official in the ministry also informed that a person based in UK also telephoned Human Rights Division and identified the prisoner and told that son of Kashmir Singh was living in Italy while the other one was with his mother.[38]

The Indian High Commission here said it had been aware of Mr. Singh’s case all these years but were not given permission to meet Mr. Singh as he fell in the category of “security prisoner.”

“He was on our list as a death sentence prisoner and we had been seeking access to him for quite a long while, but it was never granted,” said Mr. Reddy.

Mr. Singh’s prospects brightened only after Mr. Burney stumbled upon him during a tour of the Lahore jail, and took his case direct to the presidency, moving a fresh appeal on his behalf which Gen. Musharraf accepted on humanitarian grounds.[4]

Following the approval of Singh’s mercy petition by Musharraf, the order for his release was issued by the Interior Ministry.

Singh has told an Indian TV channel that his release has given him a “new lease of life”. Singh’s wife Paramjit Kaur, who has been struggling for his release since his arrest in 1973 and his subsequent conviction on espionage charges, will greet him on the Indian side of the border with family, members and friends.[21]

Talking about the Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh who is on death row in Pakistan, Kashmir said, “I met him twice in the Kot lukhpat jail and observed that he was in sound health”.[9]

After the release of Kashmir Singh, Pakistan caretaker Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney assured that he would take up the case of Indian prisoner.

Sarabjit had inadvertently crossed the border in Khemkaran Sector and was arrested by Pakistani Ranger border guards on August 25, 1990. He was subsequently charged with conspiracy and tried under the name of “Manjit Singh” in connection with a series of bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan in 1989 that killed 14.[19]

Sarabjit Singh has been lodged in Kot Lukhpat Central Jail for 17 years on the charge of plotting bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan.[19]

Recently mercy petition filed by him has been rejected by the president, and only ansar Burni has inquired the decision.

Presently the sentence to death has been postponed by president Musharraf on the request of Indian government with the unconditional release of Pakistani Mr. jamal qureshi who was again a victim of Indian government irrational conviction in 2005 for keeping fake currency.

Discussion

Summing up the event and the traditional rivalry between the two nations and the pattern and design of relation ship in this contest, it is not difficult to reach a demarcation line where all gesture and formalities turn and topple in to insecurity and effect on integrity and sovereignty. The nuclear-armed neighbors have had tense relations since their partition and independence from Britain in 1947 and have fought three wars. Hundreds of Pakistani and Indian citizens have been languishing for years in jails in each country, including fisherman detained on simple offences such as trespassing.

Not every Indian prisoner consigned to a life of hell in Pakistani or Indian jails is as fortunate as Kashmir Singh. Hundreds still languish with no hope of ever seeing their homeland again. Official records put the number of Indian prisoners in Pakistan, mainly from Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat -mostly because these areas share long borders with the country and entry through porous points. It’s no different for Pakistani inmates in Indian prisons either. Human rights activists say that because of the unending time these prisoners spend in solitary confinement results in their mental derangement and loss what’s worse is that security forces have detained a majority of these people after they crossed borders inadvertently. Some didn’t have proper documents or had overstayed their welcome, either breaking visa norms or visiting places they were not supposed to. A few were arrested on espionage charges and sentenced to death when all they had done was strayed.

In the case of Kashmir Singh, he was fortunate to be discovered by Pakistan’s human rights minister during a visit to the jail across the dividing line and his deliberate presentation of distorted picture probably after complete home work of the spy to get his release as can be depicted by his statement as, according to him ,

“Singh is, now a weak, old and disabled man, he has never received a single visitor or met any member of his family when Singh was in jails. He, like other condemned prisoners, was locked in an overcrowded death cell for 23.30 hours a day, only allowed out for 30 minutes to stretch his legs,’ he said, while adding that his only communication with his family during these years, was a single letter that Singh had received many years back. As the story goes, he began to smuggle materials from Pakistan to India in order to earn money to feed his family”.[26]

It is quite surprising that factual concealment of ground realities were not aired in interview by respective minister The pen picture being floated by minister does not correlate with what Mr. Burney said as regards to his weakness and disability and Singh’s graphics was as normal as any person of the same age group rather it was appreciably better .

Being aware of the system and design of these special cases by virtue of my previous service, I think the individual has never been in such sort of strict confinement, since many years.

In an other interview to Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa: Burni said

“Tomorrow, he will be released at the Indian border.” Singh was on a business trip to Rawalpindi when he was arrested and put on trial. Burni said. “Last month, when I was visiting the prison in Lahore, I came to know that an Indian prisoner was there for the last 35 years and during all these years, he did not have a single visitor. Upon my request, President Musharraf ordered his release, for which all arrangements are now complete.”

However this version of sentiments for spy is completely different from an official statement given by one of the office bearer of ministry that Hindu delegation met Mr. Burni about 12 years back and even few years back and his search for the same by visiting more than 20 jails in the country .being at such a sensitive constitutional post and holding office of representation and citizen of Pakistan,Mr.Burnishould realize that the prestige ,sovereignty ,security and integrity are above his services as activist of human rights .“I hope he spends the rest of his life happily,” Burney.

“Kashmir Singh’s release is being seen as a significant step in improving India-Pakistan relations and building trust between two neighbors. I don’t know whether to celebrate or be sad. I am happy for Kashmir Singh’s release, but also bitter that he has been behind bars for 35 years. 35 years is a long time”.[35]Burney.

Mr. Singh after he was informed that the president had already ordered his release Mr. Singh thanked President Musharraf and Mr. Burni for his release and called for regular prisoner exchanges between India and Pakistan.[17]

Singh, son of Sansar Singh, said to have become a Muslim, renamed as Muhammad Ibrahim former servicemen from Hoshiarpur, town , state of Punjab, India [38] was convicted and arrested in the garrison city of Rawalpindi in 1973 on a business trip to Pakistan as, (probably covered) trader in electronic goods awarded death sentenced at the age of 26 in the late 1970s by military court at Lahore under Pakistan official secret act and Singh’s case then languished. His first reprieve came in 1977, when his execution was stayed. He was to be executed in 1978 but the order was once again kept in abeyance pending a decision on a mercy petition filed by him, which gathered dust for over three decades. The other man arrested with him was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and repatriated to India many years ago, while Singh was sentenced to death on espionage charges and has spent the last 35 years in a death cell at various prisons around Pakistan including 14 years in Sahiwal, 10 years in Multan and time in Bahawalpur, Mianwali and Lahore prisons. Singh reached Lahore jail only four months ago. When he was arrested, he had a black beard and a Sikh turban. Now, he sports a trimmed beard and a traditional Muslim cap.[26] During his conviction in Pakistan he had been fasting in Ramadan and has been practicing Islam. He ate beef, forbidden in Sikh religion, studying Urdu and adopted the name Ibrahim. He has changed the get up from traditional Sikh turban and beard to customize trimmed beard and traditional Muslim cap .It is said that he became Muslim after six month of detention and has under gone circumcision also. Where as, per his own version,

“One day I was reading about Prophet Ibrahim in the Qoran and was impressed by his teachings and asked my fellows in jail to call me by this name,” he is quoted to have said, which sums up the impression that he had embraced Islam.[26]

The Indian man granted clemency returned home after 35 years in Pakistani prisons, receiving an emotional send-off by his former captors who hoped the gesture would reduce deep-rooted enmity between the two countries.

Escorting Singh, to the Wagha border crossing, between Pakistan and India, in a flagged car of a minister, clutching a plastic bag and holding his belongings, accompanying the minister with award being granted by the minister of Rs one millions to the espionage a tearful Kashmir Singh walked slowly across the no man’s land between the heavily guarded border gates under strict security measures and large number of media being present on both sides of the border of the two countries. Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney, said, he was expected to be reunited with his wife and children.

“I will be traveling with him. I want to capture the moment when he sees his beloved wife,” Burni said.[16]

“The two men hugged for a long time before Singh was handed over to Indian police official” who put their palms together in a gesture of thanks for several minutes.

Such expressions of friendship are rare between official and espionage of the two nations, which have fought three wars in the 60 years The magic moment of a man meeting his family after 35 years was lost to the world when officials on the Indian side of the international border forced Kashmir Singh to meet his family inside a room, away from the reach of all cameras.

After Kashmir Singh, a former soldier accused of being an Indian spy and sentenced to death in Pakistan after being arrested there in 1973, walked into India, he was met by Border Security Force officials who shook hands with him.[44].

Kashmir Singh in full view of the cameras right at the gate to the Indian side of the border was taken into the briefing hall of the BSF complex where his family had already been stationed.

Mr. ansar Burni, the cameras and the world, missed the opportunity to see the re-union of Singh, 70, with his wife Paramjit Kaur, 65 - meeting after 35 years - and also embracing his son and other relatives and friends.[44] The officials in charge of the area then allowed Punjab’s cabinet minister and other official to greet.

Kashmir Singh was received by a provincial information minister, Bikram Singh Manjeeta and Hoshiarpur MP Avinash Rai Khanna and other officials. The Indians presented bouquets of flowers and a basket of sweets to the released prisoner, and extended an invitation to Ansar Burney to visit India and assured him that India would soon provide a list of Pakistani prisoners languishing in Indian jails.

Such expressions of friendships are rare between officials of the two archenemies.

Although there is to much to be discussed on the topic as to why the release took place in such a manner, and why so much favorable circumstances were provided to the respective minister to continue his uplifting of profile, in sensitive and national issue ,who was convicted and punished under official secret act. The issue has been dealt in an extra ordinary relief and immaturity as a nation and of course is an indication that the position holders in such offices who enjoy the benefit of such offices for time being shall be disembark and restraint from all such matters and should be monitored by proper regulation under the observation, command and instruction of Pakistan army. It is further emphasized here that subject position holder has over used his office immaturely in respective case and failed to curtail his emotions and sentiments by deliberately neglecting that Singh was a spy and convicted and awarded punishment for creating threat to the integrity of the nation .

Keeping the above issue and enrolling all the defaulters in particular case it is suggested that a national policy is to be designed by the respective office holders, duly monitored and under instruction to Pakistan army, so to restrict any such national issues from individual in the field of politics and issue based parasites.

India and Pakistan are two rival nations with different entity, geographical and lines of security and terms and motives .Under no circumstances such events should take place on good will gesture and to prove our friendship and love .We respect India being nation and India should fully realize our presence as nation .We got to measure the terms on equality and each others sovereignty and integrity. circumstance in the release bears so many flaws and breaches which are in my opinion hazardous to national integrity and measures been taken to rectify and observe with repeated scrutiny as,

“It doesn’t matter what his crime was. He spent 35 years in prison. It was too long,” said Burney.[33]

”I met him twice in the Kot lukhpat jail and observed that he was in sound health”.[9] Talking about the Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh who is on death row in Pakistan, Kashmir said.

If individual who can spare the threat to national security by saying that “it does not matter what is his crime”, I think this is the point of consideration for all those looking after the national security. Similarly this is also astonishing as to the statement of Kashmir Singh that he has met other espionage Sarabjit twice at kot lukhpat and the statement of the Indian High Commission that they had been aware of Mr. Singh’s case all these years but were not given permission to meet Mr. Singh as he fell in the category of “security prisoner.”

“He was on our list as a death sentence prisoner and we had been seeking access to him for quite a long while, but it was never granted,” said Mr. Reddy. Mr. Singh’s prospects brightened only after Mr. Burney stumbled upon him during a tour of the Lahore jail, and took his case direct to the presidency, moving a fresh appeal on his behalf which Gen. Musharraf accepted on humanitarian grounds.[4]

Under the headings of these verbal acceptances, I look after the nation, so to inquire, concerned for such lapse of duty to release individual like Kashmir Singh.

On February 3, 2006, a court in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, convicted human rights defender Stanislaw Dmitrievsky, Director of the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society and editor-in-chief of the newspaper Pravozaschita, of violating a law intended to combat religious and nationalist extremists who incite hatred and violence against minority groups.

This is the first time a human rights defender has been convicted under a counter-extremism law for publishing articles calling for peace in Chechnya.

The conviction sets a dangerous example for all Russians, including human rights defenders and independent journalists, who exercise their right to question and criticize government policies. Whereas, ’ Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Zahid Hussain had disposed of a petition seeking release of Mr. Singh after he was informed that the president had already ordered his release,.

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