Islamabad: India on Tuesday sought clemency from Pakistan for Sarabjit Singh, set to be hanged on April 1.

The Indian High Commission said in a statement that any suggestion that he is being executed in retaliation for the death of a Pakistani in Indian custody will "impinge on the current positive atmosphere" between the two countries.

"The Indian government has formally approached us regarding clemency for Sarabjit Singh alias Manjit Singh and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is bringing the request to the notice of the concerned authorities of the Pakistan government," Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said.

These authorities included the President, Prime Minister and interior ministry. The two countries have been in discussions on this issue and the formal approach for clemency was made on Tuesday, Sadiq told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told a news briefing that there was no "official communication" from India seeking clemency for its national, Sarabjit who is set to be hanged for his alleged involvement in terrorist acts.

Cheema also said Sarabjit's hanging "is fixed for April 1".

Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur on Tuesday sent a written appeal for clemency directly to President Pervez Musharraf and also requested him for permission to visit Pakistan to meet her brother in jail, Indian High Commission said in a statement.

The statement said news reports that Sarabjit would be hanged on April 1 had been "met with dismay in India, where it has been noted that the view in the media in Pakistan is that this sudden decision is in retaliation for the unfortunate death of Khalid Mehmood, who was a Pakistani under-trial prisoner in India, while at the same time Kashmir Singh was pardoned and returned to India".

Source : PTI