Ralegan Siddhi, Sept 21: A three member delegation from Pakistan met anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Wednesday, and requested his support for their demand for the release of fishermen jailed for trespassing territorial waters.
Justice (Retd.) Nasir Aslam Zahid, former judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and member of India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners; Iqbal Haider, former Law Minister; Karamat Ali, trade union leader and peace activist; accompanied by peace activists Jatin Desai met Anna Hazare in his home town Ralegan Siddhi on Wednesday afternoon.
Karamat Ali told The Hindu that they even invited Mr. Hazare to Pakistan, and he accepted the request and stated that he would visit Pakistan soon.
“Mr. Hazare told us that he will surely come to Pakistan as soon as his health permits him,” Ali said.
Hazare told the delegation that he will support their cause and demand the release of the fishermen and their boats.
According to Ali, there are about 250 fishermen of both sides from the Sindh (in Pakistan) and Gujarat areas who are languishing in jails, both in India and Pakistan. “Mr. Hazare supported our demand for an institutional mechanism to address the problem. The water boundaries need to be demarcated,” he said.
The delegation also discussed the issues of corruption and poverty in Pakistan with Hazare.
Ali stated that they would pass on the lessons from the visit to the human rights activists and the civil society in Pakistan.
“ The collective conscience in Pakistan too has been heightened because of the movement that was based on the mobilizing of public opinion , and educating them. We will certainly go back and share our experience with Anna ji with others,” Ali said.
Ali stated that the problem of corruption was rampant in Pakistan as well. “Raja Jehangir Akhtar has been fasting in Islamabad, after being inspired by Anna. Anna has extended his support towards him, and wished him luck.”
“Corruption is a major issue in South Asia. I am sure a movement will emerge in each of the South Asian countries. There is a need to bring about a strong legislation and institutional changes, “ Ali said.
