BJP urges PM to take up Sarabjit issue with Musharraf

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) The BJP today made a fervent plea to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to appeal to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the release of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh who is facing execution in the neighbouring country on charges of espionage and terrorism.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, BJP Deputy Leader in the House Vijay Kumar Malhotra said Pakistani authorities had tried and sentenced Sarabjit after mistaking him for another person, Manjit Singh, who was wanted in connection with the crimes.

Referring to the plight of Sarabjit's family in Amritsar, Mr Malhotra said the man was an ordinary Indian who had no connection with terrorists or terrorism and was a victim of mistaken identity.

It was high time that the Prime Minister intervened and appealed to the Pakistani President for his release before he was executed, Mr Malhotra added.

Pakistan's Supreme Court had on Thursday rejected a review petition Sarabjit had filed against his death sentence.

UNI KAS LR BD1429