After 35 years in captivity, Kashmir Singh released from Pak jail

Islamabad, Mar 3 (UNI) Kashmir Singh, an Indian national who spent 35 years on death row in Pakistani prisons on spying charges, was released from Lahore's Central Jail today.

He emerged from the jail waving hands along with Mr Ansar Burney, Pakistan Human Rights Minister.

Singh's release orders were issued today by Lahore High Court, after President Pervez Musharraf accepted his mercy petition and ordered his release.

Singh was arrested in the garrison city of Rawalpindi with another Indian in 1973 while allegedly trying to smuggle goods from Pakistan to India.

Singh was accused of being a spy and thereafter sentenced to death. He remained on death row in deplorable conditions until Mr Burney helped him locate his family and secured his release.

Mr Burney told reporters in Lahore ''Singh has been released and he will accompany me to India tomorrow after an overnight stay in Lahore.'' Singh would be walking into India from the Wagah border at around 1100 hrs tomorrow. The Ansar Burney Trust has been entrusted with the Indian's custody.

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