Islamabad, Zubair kasuri – Concerns are mounting over the plight of dozens of detainees, predominantly Indian nationals, discovered in a mental health facility and jail in Lahore. A recently surfaced list of 36 individuals held in Lahore has ignited a firestorm of questions regarding their confinement and treatment.
The Federal Review Board was informed by the government that 36 individuals, apprehended at the Kasur border and other locations over the past 12 years, remain in Pakistani custody. These individuals, having served their sentences in Pakistani courts, are now stateless, rejected by both their countries of origin and any other nation.
A report submitted to the Federal Review Board by the Ministry of Interior reveals that after a 12-year impasse, the nationalities of these individuals have finally been determined, with over 30 identified as Indian citizens. During the hearing before the three-judge board, these nameless prisoners were presented before the court. Disturbingly, over 20 of them have languished for the past decade in mental asylums in Punjab and across Pakistan, caught in a Kafkaesque struggle for survival.
The federal government claims to have repeatedly offered consular access to these individuals, but the Indian government has refused to repatriate them. Witnesses describe the detainees staring at judges and officials with an almost alien gaze. While provided with new clothing, the majority were unable to speak, silently observing the proceedings. Many of the 20 declared mentally incompetent wept openly in court. A senior official revealed that some have no recollection of their families, while others, accused of espionage, have served their sentences yet remain imprisoned, awaiting death. While the federal and provincial governments bear the responsibility for their care, their existence is described as wretched. A senior Ministry of Interior official admitted to repeated delays in previous Federal Review Board hearings due to incomplete reports, prolonging this agonizing 12-year ordeal. Now, with their nationalities established, the Pakistani government will implore India to accept these individuals.
In Lahore, the released list reveals a grim situation. A staggering 20 of the 36 detainees are classified as “mentally ill” and are currently receiving treatment at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH). The reasons for their detention remain shrouded in mystery. Eleven others are incarcerated in Central Jail, Lahore, with no information provided regarding their alleged crimes or the legal basis for their imprisonment.
Adding another layer of complexity, three individuals, after treatment at PIMH, have been transferred to the “Halfway Home Township Lahore.” This suggests a process of rehabilitation and reintegration, but their long-term prospects remain uncertain. Two detainees have been deported, one to Nigeria and the other to Bangladesh. The remaining three are citizens of Tanzania, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom.
The emergence of this document has triggered demands for transparency and accountability from Pakistani authorities. Human rights organizations have voiced grave concerns over the use of the term “prisoner” for those receiving mental health treatment, emphasizing the critical need for sensitivity and respect for their rights. This disturbing situation calls for immediate investigation and action to ensure the humane treatment and ultimate resolution for these forgotten individuals.
