Chisti back with family members in Pakistan

Karachi: The octogenarian Pakistani microbiologist who had to serve 20-year term under house arrest on Thursday appealed to India and Pakistans to treat each other well.

Dr Khalil Chisti who was booked in a murder case in Ajmer in India was rejoicing after his reunion with family members in his bungalow from whom he has been away for two decades.

"I must appeal to both the countries to end their stupid behaviour and treat each other as human being and accord the best humanitarian treatment with each other," Dr Chisti told the media at his residence, bustling with dozens of kin.

Earlier, Dr Chisti arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday via a presidential plane which flew him from New Delhi on the special instruction of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.

After reaching Islamabad airport, the frail Chisti who could hardly walk, bowed down and kissed the ground as a gesture of gratitude and patriotism.

The former professor was caught in a bloody feud in 1992 when he was visiting his paternal relatives in Ajmer. The dispute turned violent and one man was killed with a gun shot and the victim's relative named Chisti in the police report.

Life imprisonment

Early last year, the professor was given life imprisonment after an 18-year-long trial. Until then, he had remained largely under house arrest in Rajasthan. After he was given the life sentence, he was placed in the Ajmer Jail but while in jail, he was moved to the affiliated hospital.

"I was treated well in the jail and no one mistreated me," Dr Chisti said adding that "seeing my [health] condition they shifted me to the jail clinic where I lived in peace."

However, the doctor wittily complained of lack of protein in the food the jail authorities gave inmates.

"But yes I experienced the shortage of protein as they do not provide even an egg and one needs to be a tuberculosis patient to be entitled to have eggs," he said.

There were grand children of Chisti, who did not even see him as they were born after the professor had left for India.

"We were quite excited as we never saw our Dada [grandfather] before and it is really amazing to see him among us now," Aimen, one of his granddaughters said tearfully.

The professor has survived a heart attack, paralysis and hip injury.

"It was my desire that I must reunite with my children and family at this age and I am thankful to Allah that my desire is fulfilled, I am very happy," Dr Chisti said.

The professor was also grateful to Indian judiciary and rights activists who supported his case and help him setting free.