New Delhi: India Wednesday welcomed the release of Surjeet Singh from a Pakistani jail and renewed its "request" to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to also free Sarabjit Singh and all Indian prisoners who had completed their sentences.
"I have seen media reports about release from imprisonment in Pakistan, of Surjeet Singh, son of Sucha Singh. I welcome this decision and further renew our request to the president of Pakistan to release Sarabjit Singh who has been in custody for well over two decades and is serving a death sentence," said External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
The appeal came after Pakistan's apparent volte-face about releasing Sarabjit Singh. On June 26, the Pakistani media had carried reports of Sarabjit getting a presidential pardon. However, Islamabad clarified late evening that it was not Sarabjit but Surjeet Singh, his fellow inmate at Kot Lakhpat jail, who would be released.
Krishna urged the government of Pakistan to take a "sympathetic and humanitarian view" of Sarabjit's case.
"I also appeal to the government of Pakistan to release all Indian nationals who have completed their prison term," he added.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
India @ 9 with Rajdeep Sardesai
Is BCCI saving its own people and must Srinivasan, Shukla step down?
Is BCCI chief N Srinivasan making a big mistake by not resigning?
Let the team owners take over the IPL: Lalit Modi
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna generally referred to as S. M. Krishna, is an Indian politician who has served in the government of India as Minister of External Affairs since 2009.
A member of the Indian Parliament from Karnataka in the Rajya S ...
Sarabjit Singh, also known as Manjit Singh, is an Indian citizen held prisoner in Pakistan. He was convicted for his alleged involvement in 1990 serial bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan that killed 14 people.
He claims that he is just a poor fa ...
Naxals kill Salwa Judum founder Mahendra Karma, 20 others
BCCI officials not keen on Srinivasan's resignation, say sources
Future uncertain, CSK out to hunt Mumbai for third title
IPL: Police to probe if Meiyappan placed bets, traded insider info
