Zardari to send presidential aircraft to fly Chisti home

Islamabad: Virologist Mohammad Khalil Chisti will return to Pakistan from India after 20 years in jail on board a special aircraft being sent by President Asif Ali Zardari, a media report said yesterday.

Zardari, during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi last month, had pleaded for clemency for Chisti, given his advanced age. The Indian Supreme Court on Thursday permitted Chisti, 80, who was in a jail in Ajmer, to visit Pakistan during the pendency of his appeal against his conviction in a murder case and life imprisonment.

Dawn reported that Interior Minister Rahman Malek will receive Chisti on his return. The two have spoken over the phone.

Malek told Chisti, who belongs to Karachi, that all arrangements have been made for his arrival according to Zardari's directions.

Dawn said that Zardari had given instructions for his presidential aircraft to be made available to Chisti for his journey back home.

Chisti on Monday left for New Delhi from Ajmer. He said that he would also go to Lahore to meet Sarabjit Singh. Chisti is facing a life sentence in a murder case and was on May 10 permitted by the Supreme Court to visit Pakistan for a temporary stay.