S M Krishna: Mr chairman, sir, the question that the honourable member raised is regarding a particular person detained in Pakistan.
Very recently, when the Pakistan foreign minister came to our country, in general, we did talk about these questions. But I know he was referring to the question of Chishti. It is a question which needs to be considered by the government of Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. He is confined to a wheelchair and he is over 80 years old. These are factors which mitigate. I am sure the government of Pakistan will take a lenient view about this particular case. We will certainly pursue this at the level of the High Commissioner.
Apart from that, there is this India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners, which was formed in 2008. It has met a number of times. It comprises four retired judges each from Pakistan and India. The latest meeting took place in April. All such cases come up before this committee. We will certainly see that the case that has been mentioned by the honourable member is pursued vigorously.
Brinda Karat: Sir, I think, the honourable minister has actually misunderstood the question. He was talking about Chishty, who is in a jail in Ajmer, Rajasthan. So, I think the minister has misunderstood the question. Tiwari is referring to the case of a Pakistani citizen, Chishty, who is locked up in our country...(Interruptions)…I think there is a slight misunderstanding.
Chairman: Please present your supplementary.
Brinda Karat: You have misunderstood the question entirely, sir. He is talking of somebody else…(Interruptions).
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Chairman: One minute, please.
Manmohan Singh: Mr chairman, sir, it is certainly true that Chishty is serving a prison sentence in Rajasthan. When I received this request, I contacted the home minister, who, in turn, has been in correspondence with the government of Rajasthan, and further results are yet to be received.
(Interruptions)
Balbir Punj: Sir, which Chishty is the minister referring to?
Chairman: Just a minute. (Interruptions).
Balbir Punj: Sir…
Chairman: It is not your turn. (Interruptions) This is not going on record. Mrs Karat, please put your question. Please allow the next question…(Interruptions)…Please go ahead.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy: We are not concerned about the external affairs of the ministry of external affairs…(Interruptions).
Chairman: I think the honourable PM has clarified the position. Let us proceed with the next question…(Interruptions) Yes, Mrs Karat…(Interruptions).
Brinda Karat: Sir, I think it is a matter of deep concern and regret that even as we try to improve our relationship with our neighbour, Pakistan, there are still so many innocent people in Pakistani jails. Our concern is particularly for Indian fishermen who may have strayed into Pakistani territorial waters, and have been jailed. I hope the government is going to be more pro-active in securing their release.
But my specific question, sir, is about alleged Indian spies and unfortunately, in the minister’s answer, there is no response to that. I know of a specific case, that of Sarabjit Singh, who has been locked up in a Pakistani jail on the false charge of being an Indian spy. I think his family members, particularly his sister, have been bravely fighting for his release. I am happy that human rights activists in Pakistan, including Burney Sahib, have made serious efforts for his release. My question, sir, is: Even as we urge the Pakistani government to release all these innocent people, has the government taken any specific step for the release of Sarabjit Singh, who has been wrongly accused of being an Indian spy. Without any help from the government, this has resulted in his two young daughters suffering without their father.
I have two questions: (a) What are the steps you are taking for Sarabjit Singh’s release and (b) Will you kindly give some help to Sarabjit Singh’s family on humanitarian grounds?
S M Krishna: Sarabjit Singh was arrested in 1990 for four bomb blasts — three in Lahore and one in Multan around July-August, 1990. He had been sentenced to death on September 15, 1991. These are the facts of Sarabjit Singh…(Interruptions)…Please...(Interruptions).
Excerpt from the proceedings of Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, August 11.