Islamabad, October 03, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan has expressed its serious concern over the deteriorating health condition of illegally detained All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Altaf Ahmad Shah, languishing in New Delhi’s Tihar jail for the last five years. The Indian infamous National Investigation Agency (NIA) in July 2017 arrested seven Kashmiri APHC leaders, including Altaf Ahmad Shah, in a false case. Other leaders are Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Merajuddin Kalwal and Shahid ul Islam.
The Indian Charge d’ Affaires in Islamabad was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, and conveyed serious concerns of the Pakistan’s government over the deteriorating health condition of Altaf Ahmed Shah. He was told that the Indian authorities failed to provide medical care to Altaf Ahmed Shah, who has been diagnosed with renal cancer, and as a result of this negligence, his condition is worsening and the cancer is spreading to other parts of his body.
It was noted with deep regret that despite repeated appeals by the family of Altaf Shah no action has been taken with regard to his health condition. It was lamented that Altaf Shah had still not been hospitalized and despite the doctor’s advice to arrange his diagnostic tests urgently to assess the extent of the disease, the tests were carried out after inordinate delays.
It is deplorable that the Indian authorities continue to deny Shah’s family permission to meet him. The court hearing of his bail plea on humanitarian grounds is also being delayed. It is evident that Alta Shah is being victimized and punished for being the son-in-law of veteran Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Gilani.
The Cd’A was told to convey to the Indian government, Pakistan’s demand that Altaf Ahmed Shah be immediately provided medical treatment and released from prison. The Government of India has also been urged to desist from targeting the true representatives of the Kashmiri people.
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