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Pardoned but freedom still far away

They will be only released unless they pay up the hefty fines.

Pakistani national M. Ishfaq has had to set up temporary base in the UAE and has been running from pillar to post to get his brother and cousin released from jail for the past two years.

Both were sentenced to five years for abetting a robbery in a money exchange in 2008. Ishfaq claims they were framed.

Though pardoned by the Dubai ruler on the second day of Ramadan for having memorised the Holy Quran, the prisoners can only be released from jail if they pay up Dh58,000 — the remaining of total Dh150,000 owed to the victim. Similarly, thousands of Pakistanis are imprisoned in UAE jails for one reason or the other. None can make their voice heard, says Ishfaq.

“During the time I have been running to help my brothers, I have seen hundreds of Pakistani men and women suffer in the jail,” he says. “Some have already finished their jail terms but are imprisoned because they are unable to pay the blood money or fines. No one is there to help them,” he says. “We need the Pakistan government to look into this issue.”

Even after selling off all they had, Ishfaq’s family in Islamabad, has not been able to raise the amount that could secure a release for the young men, one who had got married just 15 days before he was arrested.

“With hope, I approached the Pakistan Association but it was only after a long wait that I was able to get any response,” he said.

On the other hand, the Prisoner’s Support Programme being run by the welfare committee of the association seems to be in dire straits due to the paucity of funds.

“We spent all we had for the flood victims, I don’t know what we will do for the remainder of the year,” said Inayatur Rehman, acting Secretary General of the association.

“The prisoner’s programme has been stopped for the past year,” he explains. “We need more financial support in order to continue it and none is forthcoming.” Over the past six years since the programme was initiated, hundreds of prisoners have been sent back home. While some have also been handed over tickets and a small amount to tide them over until they reach home, others have had to leave empty handed but thankful to have been able to secure a release. However, the four member welfare committee is tasked with even a greater responsibility of verifying the prisoner’s nationality before asking for an outpass to be made. “This is a sensitive issue,” says Rehman. “Most prisoners do not have any legal documents that can prove that they are Pakistanis and we have to ask particular questions with regard to their hometowns and other personal detail in order to complete the verification process.”

Almost all prisoners regret their crimes, it is a pity to see that some cannot secure a release because they cannot pay the few hundred dirhams owed as fines, says Mohammed Azeem, Vice President of the association.

“It’s only prayers and donations from kind souls who can help these prisoners go back home to their families,” says Ishfaq.

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