New Delhi, June 28 (ANI): Sarabjit Singh's family, which is extremely upset and shocked at Pakistan Government's about turn with regard to his release, met External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna at the South Block here.
Krishna had earlier today expressed delight over the release of Indian prisoner Surjeet Singh, and hoped Pakistan would release Sarabjit Singh as well.
"I am happy that Surjeet Singh is being released, and I hope that Pakistan will also seriously ponder and consider and release Sarabjit Singh," he told the media here.
Meanwhile, 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.
Sarabjit Singh's sister, Dalbir Kaur, who has led a fresh campaign for her brother's release after Pakistan's about turn, today said every Indian wants Sarabjit to be set free.
"Pakistan has played a cruel joke on India. They have played a cruel joke not only on Sarabjit's family, but also with the emotions of crores of people of this country. This should not have taken place. I would appeal Zaradriji (Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari) to release Sarabjit," Kaur told media at the Jantar Mantar here.
"I have full faith in the Indian Government. Should Pakistan not release Sarabjit after playing this cruel joke? she asked.
Surjeet Singh, who has served a life term in Pakistan following his arrest on charges of spying in the 1980s, was released from Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore this morning.
Krishna had earlier on Wednesday said 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.
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)
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