ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the release of a convict who spent 12 years in prison over a narcotics case in China.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro issued the order on Wednesday. The decision came during the hearing of a petition filed by the convict’s mother.
The prisoner was identified as Syed Jalal Haider. He was arrested in China after authorities found 350 grams of heroin in his possession.
A Chinese court later convicted Haider in the narcotics case. The court sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
Haider was subsequently transferred to Pakistan under a prisoner exchange agreement between Pakistan and China.
His mother approached the IHC seeking his release from custody. She argued that her son had already served the required sentence under Pakistani law.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer presented arguments before Justice Soomro. The lawyer said Haider had spent 12 years behind bars.
He further argued that Pakistani law required the convict to serve 10 years in prison.
The lawyer maintained that Haider had therefore completed the period applicable under Pakistani law. He requested the court to order his immediate release.
Justice Soomro also spoke with the convict’s mother during the proceedings. The judge assured her that her son would be released on Wednesday.
After hearing the arguments, the IHC accepted the petition. It directed the authorities to release Syed Jalal Haider from prison.
The case highlights the legal issues that can arise when prisoners are transferred between countries. Such transfers may involve different sentencing and imprisonment rules.
Pakistan and China have arrangements that allow certain prisoners to serve sentences in their respective countries. Haider was transferred to Pakistan under such an agreement.
The IHC’s order provides relief to Haider after more than a decade in custody. His release followed the court’s assessment of the applicable period under Pakistani law.
The court’s decision was issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The case was brought before the IHC through a petition filed by Haider’s mother.
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The ruling concludes the legal proceedings concerning his continued imprisonment in Pakistan. Authorities are now required to comply with the court’s release order.
