Pak denies consular access to Sarabjit
29 April 2013 7:34 AM IST
This has prompted the Indian government to take up the issue with their Pakistani counterparts and urge for permission of regular visits. Singh has been languishing in Pakistani jail for the past 20 years for his alleged involvement in a Punjab province blast.
Meanwhile, making an emotional appeal to Pakistan authorities, Sarabjit’s family, who met him on Sunday afternoon, asked that he should be sent to India for treatment. ‘We have learnt that Sarabjit is not getting good treatment in Jinnah hospital. It will be better if my husband is allowed to go back for treatment,’ Sarabjit’s wife Sukhpreet Kaur said while talking to reporters after crossing over to Pakistan at Wagah border.
The ministry of external affairs officials said that after a visit of two Indian High Commission officials late Friday night, two officials again went to meet Sarabjit Singh on Sunday, however, they were not allowed to go inside. Pakistan, on the other hand, has reportedly informed Indians that the consular access granted on Friday was only for one person, however, it was attended by two. They have also added that the request for second consular access is in process. The consular last met Sarabjit at 2 am on Saturday. An official from Pakistan High Commission has reportedly said that the hospital has been declared a sub-jail for the duration of Singh’s stay there.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has taken up the issue through diplomatic channels urging that the Indian officials should be allowed unhindered access to Sarabjit in view of his condition. Sarabjit had suffered head injuries which rendered him unconscious as a result of a scuffle between prisoners at the Kot Lakhpat Jail. Sources have said his face and torso was allegedly cut with weapons fashioned from spoons and pieces of ghee tins. Sukhpreet arrived in Pakistan along with her daughters, Swapandeep and Poonam, as well as Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur. They were granted visas by the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on Saturday to visit the injured prisoner. Sukhpreet said that the Pakistan government should take action against those who attacked her husband.
Dalbir Kaur, Sarabjit’s sister said she had come with the ‘love and prayers of crores of Indians’ and brought prashad from the Golden Temple for her brother.
Meanwhile, making an emotional appeal to Pakistan authorities, Sarabjit’s family, who met him on Sunday afternoon, asked that he should be sent to India for treatment. ‘We have learnt that Sarabjit is not getting good treatment in Jinnah hospital. It will be better if my husband is allowed to go back for treatment,’ Sarabjit’s wife Sukhpreet Kaur said while talking to reporters after crossing over to Pakistan at Wagah border.
The ministry of external affairs officials said that after a visit of two Indian High Commission officials late Friday night, two officials again went to meet Sarabjit Singh on Sunday, however, they were not allowed to go inside. Pakistan, on the other hand, has reportedly informed Indians that the consular access granted on Friday was only for one person, however, it was attended by two. They have also added that the request for second consular access is in process. The consular last met Sarabjit at 2 am on Saturday. An official from Pakistan High Commission has reportedly said that the hospital has been declared a sub-jail for the duration of Singh’s stay there.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has taken up the issue through diplomatic channels urging that the Indian officials should be allowed unhindered access to Sarabjit in view of his condition. Sarabjit had suffered head injuries which rendered him unconscious as a result of a scuffle between prisoners at the Kot Lakhpat Jail. Sources have said his face and torso was allegedly cut with weapons fashioned from spoons and pieces of ghee tins. Sukhpreet arrived in Pakistan along with her daughters, Swapandeep and Poonam, as well as Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur. They were granted visas by the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi on Saturday to visit the injured prisoner. Sukhpreet said that the Pakistan government should take action against those who attacked her husband.
Dalbir Kaur, Sarabjit’s sister said she had come with the ‘love and prayers of crores of Indians’ and brought prashad from the Golden Temple for her brother.
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