Wagah (Amritsar), Oct.14 (ANI): Pakistan human rights and social activist Ansar Burney has expressed confidence about Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh being saved from facing the gallows in a Pakistan jail and released sooner than later.
Currently on a visit to India, Burney expressed these views at Wagah border post in Punjab over the weekend.
He mentioned that an appeal for granting clemency to Sarabjit had already been submitted to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.
"In Sarabjit's case, we have appealed to the President of Pakistan for his clemency and on basis of the Ansar Burney Trust's appeal, Pakistan has asked for the reports from five states Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; these reports have come but since Pakistan is gripped with militant activities and I think because of which the matter has been delayed. I believe that President of Pakistan would definitely help us by considering clemency of Sarabjit Singh," said Burney.
Burney further said that the Pakistan Government has received reports from five provinces vis-a-vis this case and these would be analyzed from all aspects of prevailing legalities.
However, certain developments and instances of unrest in the country had delayed the final decision, Burney added.
Earlier on June 26, Islamabad goofed up with the news of another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh being released as that of Sarabjit Singh.
Family members of Sarabjit were naturally delighted to know that he would be returning home whereas this joy was short-lived as Islamabad issued another statement to say that it is Surjeet and not Sarabjit who is being released.
Burney also said that it would be injustice if Sarabjit is executed after 22 years of imprisonment besides considering the fact that the witness has turned hostile.
"There are two technical things, first is that the primary witness has turned hostile and secondly giving death sentence after 22 years of imprisonment is unjust and we would not let it happen," added Burney.
Sarabjit Singh was sentenced to death in 1991 on charges of spying and bombing that reportedly claimed 14 lives.
However, his family members contended that he was innocent and had crossed the border into Pakistan accidentally in 1990 while in an inebriated state.
Sarabjit is currently confined in the condemned prisoner's cell at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. (ANI)
