Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over the killing of a Pakistani prisoner, who was beaten to death in an Indian jail, and urged New Delhi to provide enhanced security to ensure safety of all Pakistanis, especially prisoners languishing in Indian prisons. According to Foreign Office spokesperson, subsequent to media reports regarding the death of a Pakistani prisoner Shakir Ullah in Jaipur Jail, India, Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi sought clarity in this regard from the Indian authorities on 20th February 2019 and have been informed now that Shakir Ullah sustained injuries following a "scuffle" between fellow inmates in the television room in the jail, which proved fatal.

According to some Indian media reports, he was lynched. "It is incomprehensible how a "scuffle" between prisoners in an established government setup was allowed to escalate to the extent that Shakir Ullah sustained fatal injuries. Security and safety of Pakistani inmates/prisoners in Indian jails is the responsibility of the government of India which should have taken enhanced measures to prevent this," the spokesperson said.

He further said that the government of India must provide enhanced security to ensure safety of all Pakistanis, especially Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails to ensure prevention of recurrence of such tragic and reprehensible incidents.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019