Rezaul H Laskar

New Delhi/Islamabad: India today firmly ruled out release of any Pakistani prisoner in exchange for Sarabjit Singh whose execution has been deferred by one month amid indications that it has been left to the incoming government to decide on his fate.

"We have appealed to the Pakistani government and we hope that Pakistan will listen to our appeal. Nobody will be released in exchange," Minister of State for Home Sriprakahsh Jaiswal said in Delhi, when asked if there is any move for swapping prisoners.

Jaiswal, however, said if any Pakistani prisoner can be "lawfully" set free then it will be done.

Sources in the Pakistani administration said in Islamabad the authorities concerned with Sarabjit's case had decided that it would be best for the issue to be "put on hold" till the new government is formed by the Pakistan People's Party and its allies.

A statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad meanwhile said, "The reprieve now allows time for the appeals for clemency to be given proper consideration from all angles, including by the new government expected to take office in Pakistan soon".

The statement said "the government of India continues to hope that Sarabjit Singh will be granted clemency on humanitarian grounds."

Well known Pakistani Human Rights actvist Asma Jahangir also lent weight to the campaign to save the life of Sarabjit saying he should be granted clemency.

"I appeal that Sarabjit's life be spared," she said in Delhi.
Source : PTI