New Delhi, June 29 (ANI): Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh's sister, Dalbir Kaur, on Friday thanked the Punjab Government and Bollywood actor Salman Khan for standing by them during this time of crisis by urging the Pakistani Government to let the former return to his motherland.
"I thank Badal Sahab and the whole Cabinet from the bottom of my heart for they have passed such a resolution in this time of sorrow. I hope that it will be implemented. Our Indian Government will also stand by it. Pakistan will also reciprocate when they get appeals from all sides," said Kaur.
"Not only the people from India, but also those residing in foreign countries want Sarabjit to be freed. I received a message just now that a campaign is to begin in America and Canada for Sarabjit's release. I appeal to all to come forward and make an appeal in this regard," she added.
In a resolution passed earlier today, the Punjab Assembly appealed to both Indian and Pakistan Governments to release all those persons who have completed their jail term. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, was passed by the assembly unanimously.
When asked to comment on Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's support, who has urged the people of Pakistan to help him in efforts to free Sarabjit, Dalbir Kaur said: " It is a matter of great humility for us that he has made an appeal for Sarabjit. He has made his appeal with so much pain that I hope Zardariji's heart and the heart of the Pakistani media and the people there will melt."
Salman has in his tweet requested the people of Pakistan to help free Sarabjit.
"Requesting the people of Pakistan to support me to help free Sarabjit, who has been in prison since 30 yrs. Please, Allah ka vasta (for god's sake)," Salman tweeted.
"Request the awam (people) of Pakistan, members of the press, Government of Pakistan, President (Asif Ali Zardari) Zardari, a humble request. It would be the most amazing gesture to send Sarabjit back to his family after 30 years. Hope you support me like it's your own cause," he added.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna had earlier on Thursday assured the family members of Sarabjit Singh, who are extremely upset and perturbed by Pakistan's U-turn, that New Delhi will take up this case before Islamabad very vigorously during the Secretary-level talks scheduled next month.
"When we met Krishna, he assured us that 'Sarabjit's case will be put up very strongly, the whole government wants Sarabjit to be released'. Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh -- all of them want Sarabjit's case to be put up very strongly. He assured us that 'we will very soon put Sarabjit's case forward'," Dalbir Kaur, told the media here after meeting Krishna.
"Sarabjit's case will be put forward in the meeting scheduled next month. A message will also go there on behalf of the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to release Sarabjit. I have full faith in my Indian Government and in particular Krishnaji," she added.
Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet in New Delhi on July 4 and 5 to discuss peace and security including Confidence Building Measures, Jammu and Kashmir, and promotion of friendly exchanges.
Krishna is also expected to visit Pakistan in August this year. He had earlier planned to visit Pakistan in July, but it has been deferred since the dates were clashing with the presidential election here.
Hours after reports emerged that Pakistan was to free Sarabjit Singh, the presidential spokesman late Tuesday clarified that the authorities had taken steps for the release of another Indian prisoner named Surjeet Singh.
It was earlier reported that Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has converted Sarabjit Singh's death sentence to life imprisonment and directed authorities to release him if he had completed his prison term.
Forty nine-year-old Sarabjit, who has spent 21 years on death row, is currently being held at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Sarabjit, who was condemned to death for his involvement in a string of bombings in Punjab in 1990, had earlier last month filed a fresh clemency appeal to President Zardari. (ANI)
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