Free Sarabjit, Krishna 'Requests' Pakistan

New Delhi: India Wednesday welcomed the release of Surjeet Singh from a Pakistani jail and renewed its "request" to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to also free Sarabjit Singh and all Indian prisoners who had completed their sentences.

"I have seen media reports about release from imprisonment in Pakistan, of Surjeet Singh, son of Sucha Singh. I welcome this decision and further renew our request to the president of Pakistan to release Sarabjit Singh who has been in custody for well over two decades and is serving a death sentence," said External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

The appeal came after Pakistan's apparent volte-face about releasing Sarabjit Singh. On June 26, the Pakistani media had carried reports of Sarabjit getting a presidential pardon. However, Islamabad clarified late evening that it was not Sarabjit but Surjeet Singh, his fellow inmate at Kot Lakhpat jail, who would be released.

Krishna urged the government of Pakistan to take a "sympathetic and humanitarian view" of Sarabjit's case.

"I also appeal to the government of Pakistan to release all Indian nationals who have completed their prison term," he added.