Islamabad, August 24
Pakistan today informed India that its request for consular access to Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in bomb blasts in this country, was being examined as senior Ministers here were locked in a debate whether President Pervez Musharraf was authorised to pardon him.
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhmmad Khan informed Indian High Commissioner Shivshankar Menon during a meeting that New Delhi’s request was being examined, Indian officials here said.
The Indian High Commission officials had sought consular access to firmly establish Sarabjit Singh’s identity and national status before proceeding ahead on the options to get him out.
Pakistan claims Sarabjit Singh is Manjit Singh. The request for access, second during the last 15 years since Sarabjit Singh’s arrest, has not been acceded to so far.
“He has been known by different names and we would like to firmly establish his identity. Despite repeated attempts we have not been able to meet him or any of 107 other prisoners who were convicted in Pakistan,” an Indian official here said.
Menon met Khan and discussed the issues relating to the case.
Kasuri said that Sarabjit Singh, who was lodged in the Khot Lakhpath jail, was in good health.
Legal experts here, who examined details of Sarabjit Singh’s case, said the Pakistan Supreme Court, which upheld his death sentence, has not yet delivered a full written
judgment. What came last week was a preliminary verdict the details of which were released through official media.
— PTI
