Katju welcomes order,thanks Zardari

Press Council of India chairperson Markandey Katju on Tuesday thanked Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for pardoning Sarabjit Singh,paving way for release from prison and return home after over 20 years of incarceration. Katju said Zardaris gesture will go a long way in improving relations between India and Pakistan.

Katju had appealed to Zardari and authorities in Pakistan to release Sarabjit on humanitarian grounds. He had written to Zardari more than once urging him to exercise his power of pardon as the Pakistan President in the case of Sarabjit and had also expressed reservations over his conviction in the Lahore blast case of 1990.

I wish to thank Your Excellency for your very kind gesture regarding Sarabjit Singh. Indeed this gesture shows the kindness and generosity of your heart. It was a true act of statesmanship. This act will go a long way in improving relations between our two countries. Your act has been very well received in India,and we are all very happy, he said in a message to Zardari after Pakistan decided to pardon Sarabjit and ordered his release.

Katju had in April written to Zardari seeking the release of Sarabjit after his visit to India.