Released Pak scientist Chishti says 'it's the most joyous homecoming for me'

Islamabad, May 16(ANI): Pakistani virologist Dr Khalil Chishti, who has been recently released from an Indian jail after 20 years of imprisonment, has described it as the most joyous homecoming of his life.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik received Dr Chishti at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, who reached there from New Delhi via the special aircraft of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Dr Chishti said that he had almost lost hope about returning to Pakistan, but by God's grace it had finally been made possible.

Chishti also paid tribute to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his benevolence, and praised Pakistani leaders for making efforts for his release, The News reports.

Earlier, President Zardari, during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi last month, had appealed for clemency for Chishti, given his age.

The Supreme Court on May 10 permitted Chishty, 80, who was in a jail in Ajmer, to visit Pakistan during the pendency of his appeal against his conviction in a murder case and life imprisonment.

Chishty was sentenced to life imprisonment for the death of a person during a scrap while he on a visit to Ajmer in April 1992.

He was granted bail by the apex court on April 9, which asked him to make a separate plea for permission to visit Pakistan. (ANI)