ISLAMABAD, Sep 8 (APP): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani Monday vowed to protect the legal rights of five Pakistani prisoners still incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“There are five prisoners of Pakistan citizenship in Gitmo. And the sixth one Qari Muhammad Sadiq Najmi was released on August 29^th and is in the custody of Pak authorities,” he informed.

“Our preference remains that these prisoners should be repatriated      to Pakistan.If there is an evidence we put them on trial if not they have a right to go free,” he told Dawn News.

Regarding the recent repatriation of Qari Muhammad Sadiq Najmi to Pakistan he said the Americans have not informed Pakistan what was basis of their decision to repatriate the Qari but perhaps they (Americans) want to shut down Guantanamo bay and repatriate the prisoners to their countries of origin.

“We intend to provide prisoners due process - does not matter if they are guilty or not,” he said. 

To a question he said President-elect Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani are very clear that Pakistan will be responsible for its side of Pak-Afghan border.American administration could be persuaded to let us take care of the issue rather than taking unilateral action which only enrages Pakistanis.

“We will definitely make sure that the action on the Pak side is under-taken by Pakistan forces and unilateral strikes do come to an end.”