Hours after reports emerged that President Asif Ali Zardari had given orders to free Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh, the presidential spokesman on Tuesday night clarified that authorities had taken steps for the release of another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh who has been jailed for three decades.
“I think there is some confusion. First, it is not a case of pardon. More importantly, it is not Sarabjit. It is Surjeet Singh, son of Sucha Singh. His death sentence was commuted in 1989 by President (Ghulam) Ishaq (Khan) on the advice of (then premier) Benazir Bhutto,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
Law Minister Farooq Naek on Tuesday conveyed to the Interior Ministry that Surjeet Singh had completed his life term in jail and ought to be released and sent back to India, Babar said.
“Keeping him in jail any longer will be illegal confinement,” he added.
Any references to President Asif Ali Zardari in the entire matter were “out of context”, the presidential spokesman said.
Surjeet Singh, currently being held in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, has been in captivity for over 30 years.
He was captured near the border with India on charges of spying during the era of military ruler Zia-ul-Haq.
Earlier in the day, Pakistani news channels had reported that President Zardari had converted Sarabjit Singh’s death sentence to life imprisonment and directed authorities to release him if he had completed his prison term.
The news had traveled across the border as well, and Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had thanked and praised Zardari for the gesture.
Press Council of India chairperson Markandey Katju had also thanked President Zardari for pardoning the Indian convict.
TV channels showed Sarabjit’s family rejoicing at the news of his release but the statement by the president’s spokesman dampened their happiness.
It was believed that President Zardari’s move to commute the sentence of Sarabjit had come after the release of a Pakistani national, Dr Khalil Chishti, who was arrested in the Indian state of Rajasthan nearly 20 years ago for involvement in a murder.
But critics lashed out at the government, saying India had hardly been benevolent by releasing Dr Chishti but it was appalling that the government was ordering the release of a terrorist in the name of diplomacy.
Pakistani media has been badly exposed. They run with untrue stories without verification. Govt. never said it was Sarabjit Singh…. Shame on anti-PPP (biased) media. They jump on any anti govt story and grab it…
If Pakistan is showing and implementing its goodwill policy towards India,but India is showing not the same positive attitude.India must co operate and honour its good policies as clapping is not done by single hand.India must change its negative policies towards Paksitan
Hanging a killer will not bring the other victim to life; Rather the enimity between the two parties will become strong and each side indulge in vendetta. Life imprisonment in solitary cell with his/her victim's picture high on the wall out of reach to remind him/her of the crime committed. If repentence with humility comes to bear on the conscience of the culprit and he/ she seeks pardon for his crime from the victim's family and gives compensation if affordable.
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