As many as 56 Pakistanis, 51 males and five females, who had been languishing in Sri Lankan jails for the last several years, arrived at Islamabad airport on board a chartered plane on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
With tears in their eyes, they thanked the government of Pakistan for facilitating their return.
One of the aged women said she was extremely thankful to the government which enabled her to return to Pakistan. “You have done a great favour to me and other Pakistani prisoners, which will remain etched in our memories,” she said.
Another Pakistani prisoner said it was all made possible by the untiring efforts made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan. “The condition inside the jail was pathetic. I am grateful to The Almighty Allah that finally I am home.”
In order to ensure the return of these Pakistanis, the interior minister had raised the issue with the Sri Lankan high commissioner, while the privatization minister bore all the expenses of their air travel.
Speaking to the media at the airport, Naqvi praised the role played by the government of Sri Lanka and the high commissioner for ensuring the return of these Pakistanis.
Reporter: Awais Kiyani