India 'to repatriate journalist'

The Indian government has ordered the repatriation of a Pakistani journalist who has spent 14 years in prison in the north-western state of Rajasthan.

Sajid Bashir from Pakistan's Bahawalpur district was arrested when he accidentally crossed the border into Rajasthan in 1991.

Mr Bashir was kept in prison even after he completed a local court sentence of 12 years in jail in 2001.

The government ordered his release on the state high court's orders.

The Rajasthan high court, acting on a petition by an Indian civil liberties group, directed the government to release foreign nationals who had not been released despite completing their sentences.

Four other Pakistani nationals in jails in Rajasthan will also be released.

Mr Bashir, who will be released from jail next week, said he would work for the cause of Indians languishing in jails in Pakistan.