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Suo
Motu Statement by External Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha regarding
Sarabjit Singh
(New Delhi; March 18,
2008)
I
rise to inform Hon’ble members of the issue of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian
national in Pakistani custody facing a death sentence. The media have
reported that his mercy petition has been turned down by the President
of Pakistan. We have received no formal intimation of this from the
Government of Pakistan. But according to press reports, the black
warrant has been issued and the sentence will be carried out on 1st
April 2008. Our High Commission in Islamabad has sought details from the
Government of Pakistan.
2. The Supreme Court of Pakistan, in a judgement on 18 August 2005 had
upheld award of death sentence to Sarabjit Singh for causing explosions
at various places in Pakistan. At our instance, Consular access to
Sarabjit Singh was provided by Government of Pakistan for the first time
on August 30, 2005 to the Indian High Commission. Thereafter his
national status was confirmed. A review petition against the death
sentence was also filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The petition
was dismissed by the Supreme Court in March 2006. A mercy petition was
thereafter filed with the President of Pakistan which now, according to
news reports, has been turned down. Throughout this period, Government
of India have continued to urge the Government of Pakistan to take a
sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case.
3. Hon’ble Members are aware that since my January 2007 visit to
Pakistan, both Governments have put in place certain institutional
arrangements, including a new Agreement on Consular Access and a joint
Judicial Committee, in order to facilitate the resolution of consular
issues. A delegation of family members of missing Indian defence
personnel was also able to visit Pakistan last year. These initiatives
may lead to an improvement of the situation for our prisoners.
4. It is in this context and in the same spirit that we appeal to the
Government of Pakistan to treat Sarabjit Singh’s case with clemency on
humanitarian grounds. |
