Pak steps up diplomatic efforts to save death convict in Indonesia

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts for saving its citizen, Zulfiqar Ali, who is facing imminent execution in Indonesia after being convicted of drug-related charges.

According to a diplomat, Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs, who is in Laos for the Association of Sou­theast Asian Nations (Asean) Regional Forum meeting, has sought a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on the issue, reports Dawn.

The Indonesian Ambassador Iwan Suyudhie Amri was summoned to the Foreign Office over the expected execution.

"Indonesian ambassador in Islamabad was also called in by the ministry and asked to convey the government of Pakistan's concern to his authorities," Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakariya said.

Ali, was arrested in November 2004 in connection with a 300-gram heroine case in Jakarta. Gurdip Singh, a co-accused in the case, retracted his statement against Ali, saying the confession had been coerced from him.

Meanwhile, the Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a human rights law firm, has requested President Mamnoon Hussain to take up the matter with the Indonesian government.

"Despite this, the Pakistan embassy in Jakarta has received a notification that Ali will be executed in the near future and that the family will be given a 72-hour notice," it said.

Ali's wife, Siti Rouhani, has pinned her last hopes on the government saying, "If I get some support from Pakistan, something may happen and my husband may be saved.