New Delhi, June 28 (ANI): Sarabjit Singh's sister, Dalbir Kaur, who has led a fresh campaign for her brother's release after Pakistan's about turn, is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna at around 11: 30 a.m. today.
Sarabjit's family, which is extremely upset and shocked at the confusion created by the Pakistan Government with regard to his release, is staging a protest at the Jantar Mantar here to seek his release.
Holding banners in their hands, which read 'Now, it is enough leave Sarabjit, the family members of the Indian death row prisoner appeared to be extremely perturbed by Pakistan's u-turn.
Sarabjit Singh's family has expressed shock at the confusion created by the Pakistan Government after reports emerged that the authorities had decided to release him, but later clarified that they had taken steps to release another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh.
Dalbir Kaur had earlier on Wednesday said that she was hopeful that her brother would be released shortly.
"Everyone was extremely elated, when news broke out that Sarabjit was being released. I am hopeful that this stream of happiness will continue to flow. I am going to go to Harmandar Sahab tomorrow to offer prayers and I am going to pray that God gives strength to the Pakistani Government to hold on to their previous decision. We hope that Sarabjit does not face any kind of trouble," she said.
Dalbir Kaur further expressed the hope that the Pakistani Government would not be so insensitive as to hurt their feelings.
"We are confident that President Zardari cannot play such a big joke on us and hurt our feelings and, I am hopeful that Sarabjit will be released, even if he is not freed immediately," she said.
India had earlier on Wednesday requested Pakistan to release death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna yesterday said that he welcomes Islamabad's decision to release Surjeet Singh, but added that New Delhi has consistently urged the Government of Pakistan on several occasions to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view in the case of Sarabjit Singh.
Krishna also made an appeal to the Pakistani Government to release all Indian nationals, who have completed their prison term or are serving jail sentences.
Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur also requested the Pakistan Government to release Sarabjit Singh on humanitarian grounds.
Hours after reports emerged that Pakistan was to free Sarabjit Singh, the presidential spokesman late Tuesday clarified that the authorities had taken steps for the release of another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh.
It was earlier reported that Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has converted Sarabjit Singh's death sentence to life imprisonment and directed authorities to release him if he had completed his prison term.
Forty nine-year-old Sarabjit, who has spent 21 years on death row, is currently being held at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Sarabjit, who was condemned to death for his involvement in a string of bombings in Punjab in 1990, had earlier last month filed a fresh clemency appeal to President Zardari. (ANI)