Pakistan bowls a doosra, says Surjeet, not Sarabjit to be freed

ISLAMABAD: Hours after reports emerged that Pakistan was to free Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh, Pakistan's presidential spokesman tonight clarified that authorities had taken steps for the release of another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh who has been jailed for three decades.


"I think there is some confusion. First, it is not a case of pardon. More importantly, it is not Sarabjit. It is Surjeet Singh, son of Sucha Singh. His death sentence was commuted in 1989 by President (Ghulam) Ishaq (Khan) on the advice of (then premier) Benazir Bhutto," presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told reporters.


Law Minister Farooq Naek on Tuesday conveyed to the Interior Ministry that Surjeet Singh had completed his life term in jail and ought to be released and sent back to India, Babar said.


"Keeping him in jail any longer will be illegal confinement," he added.