MP: Islamabad admits man who served 12 yrs in jail for spying is their citizen
Pakistan has informed India that Sajeed Muneer, who spent 12 years in jail after being convicted of spying, is its citizen.
Pakistan has informed India that Sajeed Muneer, who spent 12 years in jail after being convicted of spying, is its citizen.
The Pakistan government wrote a letter to the Union home ministry on Tuesday confirming 34-year-old Muneer’s citizenship, a copy of which will be sent to Bhopal police.
Muneer was released from jail on June 5. India regularly sends back convicted Pakistani nationals who complete their sentences. The identification of Pakistani nationals takes place through their high commission.
Muneer used to live with his maternal uncle in Pakistan after his mother, an Indian citizen, died in Bhopal during his childhood days. Muneer had said he came to Bhopal to visit his father but was arrested by the police on false charges of spying on army bases in Bhopal in 2004.
“The home ministry on Monday informed us through telephonic conversation about the written confirmation of the government of Pakistan in which they have admitted that Sajeed is a Pakistani citizen,” said additional superintendent of police (zone 3) Rajesh Singh Bhaduaria.
“Earlier they denied he is a citizen of Pakistan, but after we provided solid evidence of his Pakistani citizenship they finally admitted he is their citizen,” the officer said.
“We sent evidence to the Pakistan High Commission in which it was mentioned he was absconding after murdering his brother in Punjab province. After seeing the evidence, Pakistan accepted he is wanted in a murder case there and accepted his citizenship,” said Bhadauria.
Sajeed will be deported to Pakistan once Bhopal police receive the copy of the Pakistan government’s letter from the MHA, he said.