This is in response to the letter “Sarabjit was a terrorist” by Aisha Rashid (May 13). I don’t know how come she can be so sure that Sarabjit Singh was a terrorist. Is she an eyewitness to the bombings for which he was sentenced? As a matter of fact the circumstances leading to his arrest, prosecution, judgment and imprisonment were all shrouded in doubts and mystery.
Many of the human rights activists inside Pakistan had questioned his sentence and exerted their endeavors for his release. One of them, Ansar Burney, had claimed that none of the four FIRs filed with regard to the bombings in Faisalabad and Lahore contained his name and that the same magistrate had recorded the witness statements of all the four bombings including the one at Faisalabad. One of the key witnesses, Shaukat Salim, who had lost his father and other relatives in the bombing, retracted his statement in public stating that he had testified under duress. Jas Upal, a British lawyer had pointed to several shortcomings and lapses in the trial including non-verification of his identity, non-provision of forensic evidence, not providing any interpreter and more importantly changing of the versions of events by the main witness.
In 2008, Nawaz Sharif, who is tipped to be the prime minister again, had publicly sympathized with the family of Sarabjit and suggested that he be released on the condition that the Indian government would send him back if any evidence was found against him.
Sarabjit was even given the Presidential pardon by Asif Ali Zardari, which was overturned due to political pressure.
In the circumstances, it was just wrong and totally unfair to compare Sarabjit with Ajmal Qasab who was caught in public and his crime was indeed very horrendous. Although, his guilt or involvement was beyond doubt, Qasab was tried in a fair manner under the norms and procedure of law.
While tragic death of both inmates, Sarabjit and Sanaullah Haq is to be condemned, yet, it is to be emphasized that the former was attacked by several prisoners who had in their possession sharp metallic objects, which are usually not available inside jails, the latter was attacked by a sole inmate.
The terrorists follow no religion and they are not different in any respect except their names. They bring nothing but shame for their nations. There is no point in debating on the elements involved in terrorism and killings inside Pakistan as it is an open secret. — Safi H. Jannaty, Dammam
Extrajudicial killings of prisoners
