IHC Orders Immediate Release Of Pakistani Convicted In China Drug Case

Published September 02, 2026 | 08:10 PM

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2026) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday accepted a petition seeking release of Syed Jalal Haider, a Pakistani national convicted in a drug case in China, and ordered his immediate release.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the orders on a petition filed by Jalal Haider through his counsel, Hasnain Haider Teheem.

According to the petitioner's counsel, Jalal Haider had been arrested in China after 350 grams of heroin was allegedly recovered from him and a Chinese court had sentenced him to 15 years in prison. He was later transferred to Pakistan under the prisoner transfer agreement between Pakistan and China.

The counsel contended that Jalal Haider had completed the period of imprisonment required under Pakistani law and was therefore entitled to be released.

The Assistant Attorney General, however, submitted that granting relief to the convict could have an adverse impact on Pakistan-China relations.

The court asked how long Jalal Haider had remained in prison. The counsel replied that he had spent 12 years in imprisonment, whereas under Pakistani law he was required to serve 10 years.

After hearing the arguments, the court accepted the petition and ordered the immediate release of Jalal Haider.

During the proceedings, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro told Jalal Haider's mother, who was present in the courtroom, that her son would be released the same day.

Jalal Haider's mother and sister became emotional in the courtroom after the court accepted the petition for his release.