After a tearful farewell from co-inmates at Warangal Central Prison a Pakistani national Mohammed Arshad Mahmood was on his way to Wagah border where he will be handed over to the Pakistani authorities.
A special escort accompanied him as he left for road for Wagah in Punjab after he was released following the completion of formalities and jail authorities receiving the necessary documents from Pakistan.
His release came a year after orders were passed as initially Pakistan had refused to acknowledge him as its citizen.
Arshad Mahmood, a resident of Raheemyar Khan was arrested in Hyderabad on the charges irregularities in his visa and spying. Prosecution alleged that he was in possession of photos of vital defence installations when he was caught on April 30, 2009.
A local court had convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He was lodged in Warangal jail.
Though last year on August 16 his sentence was remitted and his release was ordered, he remained in jail for another year waiting for the necessary documents.
He will be handed over to Pakistan as part of the exchange of prisoners between the two neighbouring countries.
With tears rolling down his cheeks an emotional Arshad Mahmood told his co-prisoners that he would have loved to stay back with them he had to return to his country and family. “I am dying to reunite m family after 8 long years”, he said.
He said he did not have any complaint against the jail authorities. “Unhon ne mere saath bahut achha sulook Kiya”, (thy treated me very well), he said.
Jail authorities said that for the last one year Mahmood was not treated as a convict but as a former convict.
The jail authorities including director general of prisons VK Singh pursued his case with the officials of External Affairs and paved the way for his return home.