Ansar Burney not allowed to enter Delhi

Associated Press of Pakistan (31 May 2008)

NEW DELHI, May 31 APP: Ansar Burney, a former Pakistan Minister and leading human rights activist, who helped in release of Kashmir Singh, an Indian spy from Pakistani jail, was not allowed to enter New Delhi by the Indian government on Friday night.

He was deported from Indira Gandhi International Airport here at about 10.30 pm., an official of Jama Masjid United Forum said. He was invited by the forum to attend a one-day international conference on terrorism.

“He has been deported. He was coming from London and was sent back on the same flight,” media reports quoting official of the Forum said.

The Indian Express quoting Airport sources said Burney’s deportation was based on instructions of a circular issued by the Home Ministry.

There is no word from the Indian government on the issue so far. Ansar Burney visited India last month in connection with the release of Pakistani nationals languishing in Indian jails. He met family members of Indian Death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Pakistani jail.

Addressing a press conference here last month, Ansar Burney said he was given assurance by the Indian side to release 150 Pakistani prisoners. A list of such prisoners was also handed over to him by the Indian government, he added.
Media reports quoting sources here further said Ansar Burney was sent back by an Emirates Airways flight because of a “look-out” notice against him.

However, sources in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it could have been due to “some mistake”.

During his last visit to India, Ansar Buney had met Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon on April 8.

However, Delhi airport sources have given the other story. They claimed Ansar Burney was deported because he had wrongly mentioned his port of embarkation.

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