Sarabjit's kin in Ajmer, seek his release

Ajmer, April 8 (IANS) Seeking the release of Sarabjit Singh - the Indian who is on death row in Pakistan - his family members have arrived here ahead of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zadari's visit to dargah of revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti on Sunday.

Sarbjit's sister Dalbir Kaur and daughter Swandeep stood outside the dargah Sunday with a placard reading: "Dilon ko phir se jodh dijiye, Sarbabjit ko chod dijiye' (Unite hearts again, release Sarabjit).

"I appeal to President Zardari to release my father as he is innocent," Swapandeep told reporters.

The dargah draws people of all faiths from around the country and the world who believe that a wish made within the shrine would be granted.

Zardari landed in Delhi around noon. He is accompanied by son Bilawal Bhutto and a delegation that includes Interior Minister Rehman Malik and other officials.

After lunch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Zardari will fly to Jaipur in a special aircraft from where he will leave for the dargah, most probably in a helicopter that will land at the Ghughara helipad near Ajmer.

"I have prayed at the dargah and hope my brother will be released. The blessings of Khawajaji bring president Zardari to Ajmer, I am hopeful I will also come with my brother here," said Dalbir Kaur.

Sarabjit, who is languishing in Pakistan jails for over 19 years, has been convicted of staging four bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan in 1990 that claimed 14 lives. He is currently lodged in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, facing the death sentence.

His family claims he crossed into Pakistan inadvertently in a drunken stupor in August 1990 and was arrested.