India Should Demand for Release of PoW !

It is really very intriguing to note as to how a Pakistani singer - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, was carrying US $ 1,42,600 while traversing through Indian Airports, much above the permissible limits of US $ 5,000. He is a nephew of famous Sufi Pakistani singer, late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and has also given his voice for a number of songs in Hindi movies as well. Significant amount of diplomatic pressure is being exercised from across the border to give him the desired amount of relief. Pakistani media has also built up huge pressure on its Govt. to get him out of the difficult situation. Some writers and his friends from film industry also say that he is an artist and should be excused, as he may not aware of the Indian rules relating to foreign currency. But then, we should not forget that he has violated Foreign Exchange Management Act and carried huge illegal foreign currency, worth Rs. 64 lakhs. It is also gathered that for his stage shows and other public performances in 8/10 cities here in India, the singer in question was being paid in black money and hence, the source of this huge black money also needs to be further probed. Simultaneously, it is difficult to believe that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was not aware of the Indian rules about foreign exchange management, as he has been visiting India for the last 6/7 years. Had some Indian artist in the similar circumstances been caught up in Pakistan, I am sure Pakistani authorities would not have succumbed to the Indian pressure to release him unpunished according to their law.

One more aspect, which requires to be looked into very seriously - is that there are around 60 prisoners of war in Pakistani jails since 1971 Indo-Pak war. While Indian Govt. had released all their prisoners of war several years ago, Pakistan had failed miserably to display the similar act of commitment and benevolence. In addition to this, one more Indian citizen - Sarabjit Singh, who is also languishing in Kot Lakhpat jail in Pakistan since 1991 and is falsely implicated in anti-terrorist acts. Only God knows whether all these Indian prisoners get proper and sufficient food or not and that whether they get milk and medicines etc. in case they need these things as and when they fall ill in jails. Also only God knows for certain as to how many amongst them are alive till today. Innumerable attempts made from time to time by the Human Rights Activists from India and abroad, to secure the release of Indian citizens from foreign jails have not yielded the required result. Sarabjit Singh has maintained his innocence right from the outset. He also continues to maintain that he is a farmer from a village near Amritsar in the Punjab, married with two daughters, both of whom were just toddlers at the time of his arrest. The original mercy petition was filed by his lawyer around 5/6 years ago, was rejected by the then President, Pervaiz Musharaf and subsequently also by the current President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari.

But, now our Govt. should also exploit this situation to our advantage and take a firm stand that the Pakistani singer shall not be cleared of the case  unless all Indian prisoners of war and Sarabjit Singh is also freed from Pakistani jails and they return home safe and sound. Indian Govt. should also exert maximum diplomatic pressure on Pakistan and negotiate vigorously to get our people back and help them to return to their motherland and unite with their family members, who are yearning to see their dear ones since ages.  

R.D. Bhardwaj "Noorpuri"

Dated :  18th February, 2011