The Islamabad High Court has approved a petition seeking the release of Syed Jalal Haider, a Pakistani national who was convicted in a drug case in China.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the order and directed authorities to release Haider on the same day.
Lawyer Hasnain Haider Thaheem represented the petitioner before the court.
Haider Was Convicted in China
According to the petitioner’s counsel, Chinese authorities arrested Haider after recovering 350 grams of heroin from him.
A Chinese court subsequently sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
Haider was later transferred to Pakistan under the prisoner transfer agreement between Pakistan and China.
His lawyer argued that Haider had already served the period of imprisonment required under Pakistani law and should therefore be released.
Court Questions Length of Imprisonment
During the hearing, the Assistant Attorney General told the court that granting relief to Haider could affect Pakistan-China relations.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro then asked how long Haider had remained in prison.
His lawyer told the court that Haider had spent 12 years in prison.
The counsel further argued that Pakistani law required him to serve 10 years of imprisonment.
After hearing the arguments, the Islamabad High Court accepted the petition and ordered Haider’s immediate release.
Emotional Scene in Court
Haider’s mother was present in the courtroom when the court announced its decision.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro told her that her son would be released that day.
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Haider’s mother and sister became emotional after the court accepted the petition and ordered his release.
The ruling brings an end to Haider’s imprisonment in Pakistan following his transfer from China under the bilateral prisoner exchange framework.
