Surjeet appeals for prisoners release on both sides

Islamabad: Indian prisoner Surjeet Singh, who was released from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail after three decades Thursday, said that prisoners on both sides of the border should be released.

Addressing reporters outside the jail in Punjabi, Surjeet said he had been arrested on charges of spying and would not return to Pakistan because he might be accused of the crime again.

The 69-year-old, who spent over 30 years in Pakistani jails after being arrested on charges of spying, walked out of jail to a battery of camera crews waiting to interview him.

Surjeet said he had been arrested on charges of spying and would not return to Pakistan because he might be accused of the crime again.

Surjeet, who now has a flowing white beard, said that he was looking forward to meeting his family -- waiting excitedly across the border in Attari in the Indian Punjab to welcome him home.

He had completed his life term in 2005.

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