Pubdate: Sun, 19 Dec 2004
Source: Khaleej Times (UAE)
Copyright: 2004 Khaleej Times
Contact:  http://khaleejtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/996
Author: Asma Ali Zain

MOTHER OF JAILED PAKISTANI IS IN UAE FOR MERCY PLEA

DUBAI -- Qamar Ali Khan, a Pakistani from Peshawar, was just 26-year-old 
when he was arrested for smuggling drugs and subsequently awarded death 
sentence by the UAE government in 1994. Now 10 years after his 
imprisonment, his aged mother and youngest brother have arrived in Dubai to 
plead with the government to grant him freedom.

"The UAE gives an ear to mercy petition and free many prisoners, including 
those who have been awarded a capital sentence. I came to the UAE with the 
hope that, maybe, my son's plea too would be considered," said the sobbing 
woman.

Qamar Khan, now 36, is a computer engineer by profession. In 1994, he was 
on a business trip to Dubai with his brother-in-law when he was arrested 
for carrying drugs.

"My brother is innocent and was falsely implicated in this case by his 
brother-in-law," alleged Kamran Ali Khan, the youngest brother of Qamar.

He also said the wife of his jailed brother had appealed for divorce and 
was living separately.

"My brother has two children, son Osman Khan and daughter Mahnoor," he added.

Qamar is the eldest of seven brothers and three sisters. His father is 
paralysed and mother a heart patient.

"My son is memorising the Holy Quran while in jail and he is the sole 
earner for the family," said the mother.
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