Islamabad sets free Indian spy

ISLAMABAD, June 26: President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has finally given his approval for the release of an Indian prisoner Sarabjeet Singh, who had been on death row under espionage charges.

Singh is currently imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat jail Lahore despite completion of his prison term. Upon humanitarian grounds, especially on appeal of his sister, the government of Pakistan agreed to release the held Indian spy.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar also confirmed the latest development. President Zardari also ordered his release as he had completed his jail term. Singh is expected to be released on Wednesday.

Sarabjeet Singh was convicted following bomb blasts in Multan and Lahore in 1990.

Earlier, Pakistan Law Minister Farooq H. Naek signed the summary for Singh’s release. The minister told media outlets on Tuesday that Sarabjeet Singh’s death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the President.

The latest development comes after the Indian Supreme Court last month had allowed ailing Pakistani Dr Mohammad Khalil Chishti (microbiologist) to travel to his home country on humanitarian grounds.

Dr Chishti had traveled to India in 1992 to see his ailing mother but where he was implicated in a murder case. After an 18-year long trial, he was awarded life imprisonment and sent to the Ajmer jail in January last year.