MEA seeks report on Burney’s 'deportation'

Seemingly intrigued by the deportation of Pakistani human rights activist Ansar Burney on Friday night, the Ministry of External Affairs has sought details about the action from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The MEA has asked the MHA to state why Burney, who has been fighting for the cause of Indian prisoners in Pakistan, was deported, sources said.

MEA sources insist that the ministry was not aware of the developments till media reported it after the deportation.

Burney, who came to new Delhi on Friday night to attend a conference on terrorism, was immediately sent back from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to Dubai from where he had arrived.

MHA sources said the former Human Rights Minister of Pakistan was sent back because of a "look-out notice" against him.

Interestingly, Burney had visited India last month only and met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.

MEA sources said the deportation could have been carried out because of some "mistake".

Burney was instrumental in securing the release of Indian prisoner Kashmir Singh a few months back and is currently pleading for clemency to Sarabjit Singh, who is facing death sentence in connection with a bomb blast case.

During his visit to India last month, he had met the family of Sarabjit Singh in Amritsar.