PM assures all efforts to seek Sarabjit Singh's reprieve

New Delhi, Mar 18 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan has assured Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal that the Government of India is making all possible efforts to seek a reprieve for Sarabjit Singh.

Replying to a letter sent by Badal, Dr. Singh said that the Indian Government has taken up the matter regarding Sarabjit with the Pakistan Government at the highest level.

According to media reports, the death warrant for Sarabjit was received by authorities at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore where he has been languishing for the last 17 years.

Sarabjit, who Pakistan claims is actually Manjit Singh, was sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in the bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan that killed 14 people in 1991.

Sarbjit's sister Dalbir Kaur also met Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to seek support for her brother's release.

Rahul is said to have assured Dalbir that he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities.

It may be recalled that in an attempt to put a pressure on the governments of India and Pakistan, Dalbir had earlier threatened self-immolation.

The Indian Government has sought consular access and pressed for clemency for Sarabjit.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has rejected Sarabjit's mercy plea close on the heels of the release of Kashmir Singh, another death row prisoner who was recently released by Islamabad.

Pakistan's Supreme Court had also rejected Sarabjit's mercy petition in March 2006.

ANI