Pakistani envoy sees 'critical' prisoner, seeks impartial probe

Pakistan's High Commissioner Salman Bashir Monday saw Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who is admitted in a critical condition at the PGIMER here, and sought an "impartial probe" into the attack on him.

Interacting with media persons afterwards, Bashir sought an "impartial probe into the unfortunate incident" in Jammu jail in which Ranjay was critically injured.

"He is in a critical condition. His prognosis is bleak," the high commissioner said.

Bashir, who also interacted with doctors at the PGIMER (Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), said: "The doctors here are doing their best. They are constrained by the condition in which he was brought here."

He said the Pakistan high commission was working on getting visa to India for Ranjay's family to meet him.

Pakistan had earlier sought the immediate repatriation of Ranjay for treatment there.

Asked if the assault on Ranjay was retaliation for the attack on Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in a Pakistani prison which later led to his death, Bashir said in a measured tone: "After the Sarabjit incident, there was a lot of hype in various circles. That should not happen."

Ranjay continued to be "critically sick" and in "deep coma", a medical bulletin said.

"His BP (blood pressure) dipped today. His condition has deteriorated further," a PGIMER source said.

Two officials of the Pakistan high commission have been camping here since Sunday. They are allowed to see the comatose Pakistani national once every day.

Ranjay, lodged in Jammu's Kot Bhalwal Jail, was critically injured after being attacked by an Indian prisoner Friday. He was flown from Jammu to PGIMER for treatment.

The incident took place a day after Sarabjit succumbed to grievous injuries sustained in a murderous assault on him in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Asked about the Indian prisoners of war (POWs) in Pakistani prisons, Bashir said a mechanism was in place between India and Pakistan to work on this.

He said there were many Pakistani prisoners in Indian prisons also.