Yudhvir Rana, TNN | Apr 23, 2012, 07.03PM IST

AMRITSAR: Pakistan’s former Federal Minister for Human Rights, Ansar Burney has asked Pakistan to reveal the identities of Indian Prisoners of War (PoW) who had died in its custody.

The Human Rights Activist has argued that Pakistan should make the disclosures, based on the ashes of the prisoners kept in jail. Burney said that this would make information available to relatives of the PoW, thereby ending their agonizing wait.

”Not only Pakistan but the Indian government should also provide accurate information of Pakistani PoW”, said Burney. He added that mutual exchange of crucial information could facilitate cordial equations between the two nations.

Burney, who was on the forefront of negotiations with Somalian Pirates, to secure the release of crew members aboard MV Suez, suggested that both India and Pakistan should step up maritime rescue efforts. MV Suez was hijacked by the sea bandits on August 2, 2010.

Let the world see how India and Pakistan can jointly fight to save their nationals” said Burney.

Burney, who has also been actively campaigning to save the life of Sarabhjit Singh facing death penalty in Pakistan, has sought commutation of Sarabhjit’s death sentence. “I will not let Sarabjit hang in Pakistan,” said Burney, challenging Singh’s death row. He has also sought leniency for Kirpal Singh, another convict, who has been on death row since 1992 in Pakistan.

Burney also expressed hope for Pakistani doctor Khalil Chisty of returning to Pakistan. Chisty, 80, who was sentenced to imprisonment in a jail in Ajmer for involvement in a clash that lead to the death of one person in 1992, was recently released on bail.