Thank government of India, Pak for son's release, say Hamid Nehal Ansari's parents
Hamid Ansari's parents
Hamid Nehal Ansari, the man who was held in jail for six years was finally released by Pakistan. He had gone to Pakistan and was imprisoned for having a fake Pakistani passport.
WIONspoke to Hamid's mother and father asboth thanked the Indian and Pakistani governments. WION also spoke to Jatin Desai, the man who tirelessly worked for the release of the Indian national.
WION: You will finally be able to meet your son...
Fauzia Ansari (Mother): Thanks to both the governments, the governmentof India, minister Sushma Swaraj and all those people who helped us right from the beginning and who stood on our side in our time of crisis. Credit goes to them. And also the Pakistan government, they helped us. I always felt they were very supportive and very helpful.
We are very happy on Hamid's release.
Nehal Ansari (Father): No words can express our gratitude and happiness. We are thankful to all the people including the government of India and Pakistan. There are so many people who were supportive.
Interview with Jatin Desai
WION: Sir, your hard work towards Hamid's release has finally paid off...
Jatin Desai: Absolutely, I am thrilled and happy. It is a historic day for India-Pakistan relations. After so many years, he will come back. He was imprisoned for six years. He was arrested on November 14, 2012, which is more than six years.
He was an innocent guy, he went to Pakistan for the sake of his love. He was in love with a girl from Kohat. He just entered Pakistan and he was caught. We also believe, there are many prisoners. Hamid is not alone. There are several like him in India and Pakistan, they need to be released. They need to be seen from a humanitarian perspective, which we don't.
Hamid can set an example. This is the time, India and Pakistan should release prisoners from their custody.
WION: Did you expect him to be released soon?
Jatin Desai: I was expecting it, although I didn't think he would be released on Tuesday. It's a pleasant shock, pleasant shocks are always welcome.
The new government in Pakistan, especially Imran Khantook the initiative. Next year will be the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, so the Kartarpur corridor has come up, let us hope. I always live in optimism. I believe, tomorrow will be better than today.
WION: Talk to us about your struggles. Issues you faced?
Jatin Desai: I am interested in the plight of the fishermen who have been arrested, I want them to be released. There are 400 Indian fishermen in Pakistan's custody and 150 Pakistan fishermen in Indian custody.
It is very difficult. It is because of a lack of trust. We need to have trust between the two countries. In the case of Hamid, I must say, that in Pakistan a couple of friends and others tirelessly worked to get him released.
There weresenior lawyers, women lawyers, who worked for his release, without any expectations. It is also a victory of the Indian and Pakistani media including the Indian and Pakistani social activists.