Sarabjit to stay or to go? Pak to decide...

Islamabad, Nov 26: A decision on Sarabjit Singh, the Indian prisoner on death row in a Pakistani jail, is likely on Wednesday, an official in Islamabad indicated on Tuesday, Nov 25.

Sarabjit's case came up for discussion as the home secretaries of Pakistan and India began their fifth round of talks on Tuesday to review the visa regime among other issues. The talks will conclude on Wednesday, Nov 26. "People will not be disappointed by our decision," the official replied cryptically when asked whether Sarabjit will be released. Sarabjit's mercy petition is pending with the President. The Lahore High Court sentenced him to death for his involvement in the bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan and the Supreme Court upheld the decision.

Interior Secretary Kamal Shah is leading the Pakistani side at the talks, while Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta is leading the Indian delegation.

The talks seek to strengthen the efforts by both countries to discuss issues relating to terrorism, counterfeit currency, drug trafficking, exchange of prisoners and the visa regime.

Officials said that both the sides took up the three-point agenda on Tuesday - the immediate release of prisoners, the joint mechanism on cross border terrorism and new mechanism on information sharing.

"They will also talk on other issues tomorrow (Wednesday)," an official said.

ANI