Pak court seeks report from Interior Ministry
Lahore, February 28
A court in Pakistan has sought a report from the Interior Ministry in response to a petition seeking the release of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, currently on death row for his alleged involvement in bomb attacks in 1990.
Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik of the Lahore High Court yesterday asked the Interior Ministry to file a reply by March 16, failing which the court would decide the matter on merit.
Sarabjit's counsel Awais Sheikh had submitted a petition, seeking that his client be included on the list of foreigners languishing in Pakistan’s jails despite having served their sentences.
Sheikh had asked the court to issue directions in this respect to the Foreign Secretary and the jail superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail where Sarabjit is being held. The superintendent had earlier informed the court that though Sarabjit's prison term had expired a year ago, his fate would be decided in the light of directions from the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army and the Presidency. The superintendent said he had written four times to the Inspectorate of Prisons and the Home Department of Punjab, seeking guidance on the issue in the light of these directions.
Sarabjit, imprisoned since 1990, was awarded the death sentence under the Army Act for his alleged involvement in four blasts that killed 14 persons.
He submitted a mercy petition to the army chief, but it was rejected with the direction that it be forwarded to the President.
Lahore, February 28A court in Pakistan has sought a report from the Interior Ministry in response to a petition seeking the release of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, currently on death row for his alleged involvement in bomb attacks in 1990.
Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik of the Lahore High Court yesterday asked the Interior Ministry to file a reply by March 16, failing which the court would decide the matter on merit.
Sarabjit's counsel Awais Sheikh had submitted a petition, seeking that his client be included on the list of foreigners languishing in Pakistan’s jails despite having served their sentences.
Sheikh had asked the court to issue directions in this respect to the Foreign Secretary and the jail superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail where Sarabjit is being held. The superintendent had earlier informed the court that though Sarabjit's prison term had expired a year ago, his fate would be decided in the light of directions from the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army and the Presidency. The superintendent said he had written four times to the Inspectorate of Prisons and the Home Department of Punjab, seeking guidance on the issue in the light of these directions.
Sarabjit, imprisoned since 1990, was awarded the death sentence under the Army Act for his alleged involvement in four blasts that killed 14 persons.
He submitted a mercy petition to the army chief, but it was rejected with the direction that it be forwarded to the President.
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