HOPE: Sukhbir hopeful of early release of Sarabjit and other prisoners in Pak

Amritsar, November 12, 2012: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, today said that he was hopeful for early release of Sarabjit Singh and other innocent Indian prisoners lodged in various jails of Pakistan since many years.

Accompanied by Member Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, speaking to media persons after paying obeisance at Golden Temple here today, Badal said that he had raised the issue with Muhhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Pak Punjab for early release of Sarabjit and other Indian prisoners, who have either completed their terms or were jailed for petty offences.

He said that he had requested Pak Punjab CM to persuade their Federal Government for positive consideration of mercy appeal of Sarabjit. He said that he was quite hopeful of early release of Sarabjit and other prisoners. He said that he impressed upon, Sharif that Sarabjit has already completed 22 year term in the jail and it would be imperative for Pakistan Government to release him at the earliest.

He said that early release of Sarabjit and other prisoners would further cement Indo-Pak ties.

Earlier inspecting the progress of Pedestrian Plaza being constructed at Golden Temple, Badal suggested that Pedestrian Plaza should give the pictorial display of rich religious and cultural history of Sikhs so that young  generation visiting Golden Temple should get educated about their roots. He asked Amar Behl, who conceptualized pictorial display at Virasat-E-Khalsa to submit a plan on this. He also asked Secretary SGPC to explore the possibility of light and sound show every evening on Sikh religion.

When asked to Member Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal regarding Digvijay Singh comparing Arvind Kejriwal with Rakhi Saawant, Badal said that reflects the anti-women mindset of Congress leadership.

Speaking about Pak tour, Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that besides raising the issue of release of Sarabjit and other prisoners, Deputy Chief Minister also give a new push to further strengthen trade, commerce and sports ties between the both countries. He said that the tour has got a positive response from the Pak Punjab Government and they agreed to increase trade and commerce ties between both countries. He said that Memorandum of Understanding signed by both chambers of commerce would also open new avenues of business.  

Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, Police Commissioner Ram Singh and Secretary SGPC Dalmegh Singh.