After the Ministry of Law and Justice approved his release on Tuesday, life sentence prisoner Sarjeet Singh crossed the Wagah Border, and after 27 years, stepped on his native soil just a few minutes prior to this confession of being guilty.
Family and friends rushed to greet Singh as he reached India.
Speaking to the media on the Pakistani side of the Wagah Border, Singh, now over 60 years old, said that both sides should release prisoners.
“India should release Pakistani prisoners and Pakistan should release Indian prisoners, that is all I want to say,” he said in Punjabi.
Upon being asked as to whether he would ever come back to Pakistan, he said, “I don’t want to come back to Pakistan.”
When asked whether he did not want to come back because he did not like the country, Singh dispelled the notion saying he actually did like the country but said that was not the reason.
“I was accused of being a spy,” he said. “If I come back, agencies will have doubts that I am here to spy again, that is why I will not come back.”
He said that he was grateful for the way Pakistanis treated him.
Waiting on the other side of the border, in anticipation of his father's return, Singh’s son said that he wished Sarabjeet was being released too.
“Both of them coming back together would be even better,” he said. "Sarabjeet's family would also be as happy as we are."
When asked what the first thing the family would do after his father’s return, he said, “We will go straight to Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) and pay our respects.”
“After that, we will go home and celebrate,” he added.
Sarjeet/ Sarabjeet mix-up was an honest mistake
Speaking to media on the Indian side of the Wagah Border, an enthusiastic Singh said that he would get Sarabjeet released too. “I will get it done soon. We will meet ministers to get him released,” he said.
When asked about Sarabjeet’s state, Singh said that he was “in good health” and that he was “sane”.
“I used to meet him every other week, he roams freely in the prison,” added Singh.
Dispelling rumors of maltreatment, Singh said, “No Indian prisoner is dying in Pakistan, nobody is dying of hunger or sickness.”
He said that those who the doctors are unable to cure are sent to a hospital in the city. “There is a Jinnah Hospital there like we have the Chandigarh Hospital here,” said Singh. “They send the sick prisoners there who are brought back after treatment.”
Speaking on the case of mistaken identities, Singh defended Pakistan saying that it was an honest mistake. “There is little difference in the way Sarabjeet and Surjeet are written in Urdu,” he said.
He referred to Advisor to the Prime Minister of Interior affairs Rehman Malik’s interview and said it was him who cleared out the matter. “Their former home minister gave an interview to newspaper reporters and said that Sarabjeet’s documents and mine had been separated,” Singh said.
“ He(Malik) was the one who said that the one who is to be released is Sarjeet Singh, not Sarabjeet,” Singh said, and quoted Malik, saying, “He said ‘Sarjeet’s papers are here, he is being released and we will do so within 48 hours’”.
When quizzed further by the media, an irritated Singh said, “I don’t know about this (the Sarabjeet mix-up), I read newspapers. I am not a minister or an officer.”
“Did you listen to Rehman Malik’s interview? Then you don’t need to ask this question,” he added.
Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, "I went there to spy."
Singh was arrested by Pakistani police on charges of spying during former President Ziaul Haq’s regime and was awarded the death sentence by a court in 1985.
Later in 1989, his punishment was commuted to life imprisonment by former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan as part of a general order to commute all death sentences awarded during the military regime.
On Tuesday night, President Asif Ali Zardari ordered for Singh’s release as a goodwill gesture. The convict has already completed his stipulated punishment.
COMMENTS (121)
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this is totally wrong that singh was spying there the ET is making an unwanted issue
@Baal Thakaray: We have a Zaid Hamid posting quite regularly hope u are able 2 match his humor which is badly needed on these pages which are otherwise filled with hateful comments from both sides.
I know, ISI scared him to death and told him to lie! Jay ho Sarjeet.. never admit any of your deeds you did in Pakistan!!
@Rehman Malik: Hello Senator, Ajmal Kasab is a terrorist and a murderer.Which is not quite the same as being a spy.
Listen to him from 0:44 and have some shame indians. How even the spies you sent here to harm Pakistan get treated in Pakistani jails. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bR4ZdmN_J4&feature=related
While what you do with our people, from soldiers to simple fans of cricket who went to india end up in jails on false charges. who if lucky enough to survive at the cost of their sanity or comeback in casket. Here is one case of indian brutality and barbarity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SipahiMaqboolHussain
Those who believe that Et fabricated this story and Sarjeet didn't say he was a spy should go through the following link of Hindustan times and then they should raise doubts and should debate.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NorthIndia/Back-from-Pak-Surjeet-admits-he-went-to-spy/Article1-880044.aspx
To those who still dont get it or find the title misleading this is whats mentioned "Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.”"
@wonderer: A life sentence means a life sentence .....
@Princess:
Oh Dear Princess... How have you all been brainwashed!!! name a couple of such cases where Pakistani spies have returned dead...
This guy was accused of spying - he was sentenced accordingly - he completed his sentence - he got released - why this tamasha then??
@mr. righty rightist: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/surjeet-singh-freed-from-pakistan-but-sarabjit-waits-in-prison-236958?pfrom=home-otherstories Here Surjeet himself says at the end of interview that he went to Pakistan to spy for RAW or the army. Nothing misleading about this aspect in this story. This is all over Indian news media.
He said he was a spy if you don't believe Pakistani news paper..go read bbc or times of India. He says he was a spy and he was treated well. He said all Indian prisoners are treated well.. 27 years is a long time..good that he is finally released. Both Indians and Pakistanis should stop spreading hate. Do you get pleasure out of passing negative comments towards each other! Grow up!
Dear Pakistani and Indian readers please realize what is the situation in the areas adjoining the IB/LOC on both sides.Because of the wars that have been taking place 48/65/71/Kargil no industry has come up in the border areas smuggling is the big business and along with it spying.These smugglers/spies are a product of the hostile policies our nations are following there is a urgent need to improve relations between our nations . These spies are just poor people who are exploited by security agencies and armies.The root cause are the hostile relations.As regards offences committed in either country are concerned punish the criminal as per law let him serve his sentence and then release him. We must respect the laws of the land, the verdicts of the courts and human lives.
He clearly stated on live TV ( indian tv.) in punjabi that he was sent to spy. The BBC Link someone provided above gives his real name and mentions him as a low level spy. Now, if he ha=d been hanged, these Indians here would ve gone crazy but I am glad they now know what he really was.
It is possible that as a condition for his release, Sarjeet was asked to state, upon his release, that he was spying in Pakistan, as soon as he crossed over the border to India. If he didn't do that, it is possible that the Pak authorities had warned him that his relatives would be harmed.
This is reality of Indians.....thanks singh for reminding us.....and how Indians treat Pakistani prisoners??...when Pakistani returns either they are disabled or lost sanity....it is always painful to see Pakistani prisoners returning back from India and true Indian side. From my side i will make sure that current government pays for this decision in up-coming elections.
@Ahsan - Do you fail to understand that he completed his sentence!!! and then a number of years after that. Annoying
@Raj: Sardar jee is over joyed on his release from jail and you are worried about his beard. Funny.
Shame on Media for Publishing such a reports about a person who served more 20 years of imprisonment...
@ Disgruntled Indian Friends: India and Pakistan share a 2300 km border. What you should want and need are friends on the other side. Unfortunately what happens on one side of the border will inevitably spill on the other side. Afghanistan Pakistan is a good example. My humble recommendation is to be a little pragmatic and celebrate the little good news we get. Same goes for our disgruntled Pakistani Friends......
OK OK OK!!!!
Sorry, I missed where he said, he was a spy. This being the case, RAW should be taken to task. What a shame that his family was not cared for.
This is very unfortunate.
Back in the 80s, when there was a sizeable sikh population in Pakistan, sikhs went to Pakistan for spying. I highly doubt, if it works today, given that Pakistan has succeeded in eliminating almost all minority from its soil.
Intense over nationalism fed into these indians make then unable to analyze anything rationally or neutrally. They are off view that their poor little country can never do bad. So sad, Come out of your bollywood fantasy land
For all those who are claiming that Pakistani media made up news about confession of Mr. Singh. Here is news from India times. I hope and believe that people think neutrally and two countries stop working against each other and work for each other for progress of South Asia
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/I-was-a-RAW-agent-Surjeet-Singh-says/articleshow/14468528.cms
@mr. righty rightist: Read the article again. " Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.” "
A stupid and insensitive title to the news-report. If one is to read only the title, it may evoke a negative reaction in a Pakistani mind towards India. And then you read the complete report, and he has praised Pakistan and the way he and other prisoners were treated.
Now, you don't need to be an intelligent expert to ascertain he may have been a spy, and when he was quizzed he accepted, but it was quiet unnecessary to highlight spying as a title.
From the BBC: "In recent years, several Indians returning from Pakistani jails have admitted to spying. Some have criticised India's government for abandoning them." Read it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18621746 Is this proof enough to you Indians or is your government still telling the truth???!!!
you indians need to stop talking and learn to gather information. go to the bbc website, the bbc confirms that he said he came t pakistan for spying. indians think they are so indefatigably innocent. news flash to you naive people: every country does good and every country does bad. you spy on us, we spy on you. stop being naive! the difference you see very quickly on the ET forums is that pakistanis at least question their government, the indians accept each thing their government says as the truth without using their own brain to question their rulers!
@Babloo:
"spying is a non violent offense. Why 30 years for it ? Its atrocious. How many years do Pakistani spies get in India ? much less."
Off course, because any Pakistani found outside the allowed station of their visa are charged with the crime of spying and within a couple of years either they end up dead or lose sanity. Corpses are returned to Pakistan and the live hardly ever make to Pakistan.
Good job by Pakistani Gov
@mr. righty rightist: There you are. Just a few lines from the bottom. In these words: "Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.”
Indians trolls suddenly started to have reading difficulties. Hope their hearing is still working. Listen to him at 1:00 mark. He himself says that he was sent to Pakistan for spying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2OqNwYhUYU
Times of India reportin as..
"I was a RAW ( Research and Analysis Wing) agent. No one bothered for me after I got arrested. Don't ask me too much.....otherwise the BSF (Border Security Force) will get annoyed," he told media just after his arrival here.
Within seconds of his making this statement, BSF officials sitting besides him took him away to a room for a briefing.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/I-was-a-RAW-agent-Surjeet-Singh-says/articleshow/14468528.cms
spies get in India ? much less.
spies get in India ? much less.> @Babloo: spying is a non violent
spies get in India ? much less.
Spying is not a violent offence? which world do you live in? Punishment of spying is straight death. nothing less. will you say so same if tomorrow Pakistani spy is caught in india. Shameless hypocritical behavior of you indians are out in the open for every one to see.
Look at the health of both Kashmir Singh and Surjeet Singh, both of them are healthy and in sound mind. What do you indians do with our prisoners. Send them back in body bags, if they survive the torture they go mental. Read the treatment you did with Sipahi Maqbool Hussain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SipahiMaqboolHussain
Despite who he was spy or not, the important question here is how many Pakistani prisoners are being released from Indian side and how many of them came out saying they were treated well in Indian prisons? These people so called human right activist, is their human right activism is only for Indian spies and not for Pakistanis??
@Anon: dost isne apni sentence puri kar li hai, 30 saal jail me raha hai yeh isi gunah ki saza ke liye.
He deserved to be out now. He might be a spy but he hass definitely not killed anybody and he is only a small pawn. He has suffered a lot for his crime. I can just say most of the Indians really thankful to your government for not keeping him in Jail even after completing his sentence. Hope that the peace process continues and both the countries will release prisons languishing in Jails for decades. Its give and take friend, if you release somebody today, India will reciprocate tomorrow with the similar gesture. We citizens of these two countries should support these efforts to bring peace and trust and stop cribbing about this and that.
spying is a non violent offense. Why 30 years for it ? Its atrocious. How many years do Pakistani spies get in India ? much less.
@Ordinary Villager: The initial report from ET did not mention him admitting to the incident and that is the reason why a number of Indians were confused.
Thanks for the BBC link. Now there can be no doubt on this matter.
@ whats the surprise here, he was a spy? he was given a sentence he completed it did some more time, what do we want from him now. Are there no Pakistani Spies in India. If Indians can't catch them then that's their problem. Happy that he is back with his family I hope Pakistan resolves Sarabjit's case as well.
@Alapan: i think u haven't seen his press conference in india this morning ....check times of india for conformation .. wait i am positing link /www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/india/2012/06/120628sarjitsinghreleasedrh.shtml
previously by reading pakistan bashing comments by regular indian commentators, i had started to think that there is some genuine problem of credibility with us, but now after watching the above comments, i am relieved they themselves have got problem of credibility :), they are fed on lies also.
spying is not a crime. When you walk down the road and look into neighbours backyard to see what plants he has planted , thats a form of spying. Between countries, spying is not a offense until you illegally access classified material.
Many Indian prisoners admit later that they were treated well (even Surjeet Singh said that on Indian soil). . On the other hand, Pakistani prisoners are tortured so much that often have lost their memory when (and if) they are released! That's not fair! . A country claiming to be secular should have better credentials!
Indians have been given a huge dose of nationalism so much so that it has made them come across as completely irrational when it comes to Pakistan. Just read the comments from the Indians - mostly effeminate and spiteful, they range from outright hate to contempt and sarcasm. And yet ET keeps publishing their comments to show their 'even-handedness' . This is masochistic if nothing else. This man was a spy and he did his time in prison. End of story.
India, Release Ajmal Qasab now !!
What a long time to spend behind bars. The funny thing is in anyone's working life, people constantly spy and gossip on each other. If he was just accused of spying, what a terrible waste of time and life to be spent behind bars. If you don't kill anyone, you're harmless.
Spy or not.....any person attaining the age of 60, 65 or 70 should be released on humanitarian grounds. They are not going to do any harm to Paistan after that age, and will be good to be with his family, meet grandchildren etc in the last phase of life and can comfortably die in his own bed.
Both countries should do this ...!
All the Indians commenting here have ear plugs on, these are special ear plugs that filter out things that they want to hear or make sentences seem exactly like the way they want to hear them. ET is your beloved newspaper, it always published things that are pleasing to the Indians, so why are you accusing it of lieing all of a sudden. Pakistan's shown a huge goodwill gesture and released your spy. When was the last time Indian released a Pakistani accused of spying?
@WoW: Guilty or not guilty is of no consequence.He has served more than his sentence in jail.
@Hajira Amir: Every international Media is stating that he is a Spy then what are you talking. Here is a news piece from BBC. What do you say about it ???? Sarjeet Singh confesses to News Reporters so it is the end of the story. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18621746
@expat: Read again please - It clearly states that
Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.” He did confess.
@Raj: Haha, thats the only point you found important to comment! If the same news had been for Pakistani spy, we can see storm of Indian comments criticizing it!
Did anyone saying this is not true bother to watch the news while he was being released? He spoke ON CAMERA.
i think spies shuld be hanged!!
Not true...
Anyone who is saying that where did he said that i was there for spying go to this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18621746
Yes he came to spy. Yes he got caught, arrested, and jailed for 27 years. That's more than a murderer gets as life sentence. His youth has been spent in a jail. This is punishment enough for espionage. Letting him free is the right thing to do. Sarabjeet Singh is an actual murderer... either he should have been put to trial and given life sentence or capital punishment, etc. He has also spent much of his time in a Pakistani jail. But his case is a little more complicated as there are victims families that are involved, and their feelings and emotions need to be taken into consideration.
Typical comments from indians they are all of a sudden having reading comprehension problems about this guy's confession. This is the result of brainwashing by your gov that all indian's are innocent and no one commits crime everything wrong is done by ISI.
Even media too playing with sentiments.. False info..
@mr. righty rightist: are you blind or you have reading problems: Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.”
Even if he was spying he has undergone enough imprisonment and deserved to be released.
@Rahul: Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.”
@mr. righty rightist: Following these questions, Singh confessed to his crime saying, “I went there to spy.”
Misleading news...he has not said that he was spying...
AMAN ki ASHA Zindabad... :D
Where are indian lovers :p
ET Congrats on playing your part in releasing anti Pakistan agent. Instead yourself start spying for India, then would they don't be needing to send another spy to this land of pure. Congratulations. And don't hesitate to publish this comment.I want every one read it out.
@YeaRight!: If a Indian commits a offence on Pakistani soil he must get his due punishment as per Pakistani law and courts . However once the sentence has been completed he should be released. The same applies to Pakistanis who commit a offence in India. We must respect the verdicts of our courts and also respect human life.
He has served his time , there is no issue in setting him free, by the way i am Pakistani and i dont want to go back to Pakistan either
Why we Muslims ignore Islam and Prophet's sayings and acts (Ahadith and Sunnah), when commenting or dealing with non-muslims. Islam and Prophet (SAWW) used to treat the opponents with love and care even the enemies in return didn't. But here we forget all the teachings and we are sunk deep in hatred, revenge and want bloodshed of (so called)enemies.
Spy or not, 27 years in captivity is more than enough punishment.
@wonderer: He was given capital punishment that is hanged till death by every court the case went through even the SC. It was the President who initially changed it to life imprisonment and then released him (life imprisonment has no maximum term). IMHO, all such prisoners who have been given life imprisonment and death sentences except those who commit it more than once, should be release after serving a maximum term of 8-12 years. It is a big part of life that one spends in confinement, People grow with time and their behavior and thinking change completely during this time.
I also say "India should release Pakistani prisoners and Pakistan should release Indian prisoners,"
How would you criticize a Pakistani Rock even.
@ Wonderer: No, it really isn't, it would have had he been hanged. That must have satisfied you.
Thank you for showing gratitude on this noble gesture. Pakistani convicted spied return home dead instead.
where did Surjeet singh confess that he was spying?
Why is ET making up stories???
@Raj..what about his confession...at least you Indians should have some courage to accept what he is saying....height of hypocrisy..
@Raj: I have seen many Indian singhs without beard also...e.g. ranveer singh..does Pakistan play a role in that too?
for 27 years he had been saying he was not there to Spy, but when now he is safe in India, he confesses he was a spy for RAW. What does India have to say now?
This news is only to be found on ET.
Dawn reports that Surjeet Singh mentioned categorically that he was not a spy.
Even in this article, he says "I was accused of being a spy, If I come back, agencies will have doubts that I am here to spy again, that is why I will not come back.”
@Raj: is that supposed to be funny? Indians are so full of sarcasm and negativity. Pity you.
The hanging of this old suffering man would have done no goods to the arch rivals. Good step by the govt.
How is it a "goodwill gesture" if "the convict has already completed his stipulated punishment"?
@Raj Thats cos Kashmir Singh was pretending to be a Muslim and called himself Ibrahim. He didnt even wear a Turban and wore a Muslim Cap. Wonder is Pakistanis will feel like extending hospitality to SIkhs given how the last two released prisoners have behaved. Now each and everyone one of them sill be under scanner.
Shame on our liberal fascist, who support this guy. I personally know more then 7 innocent people including children from my locality, who are in Indian imprisonment for no reason since 6,7 years. And this spy is being released today. Shame on your government.
Digusting act by our government.they send us body bags and we treat them well. Our manood is lost.
A welcome step in the right direction lets hope it helps improve the relations between us . Thank you Pakistan
ET why are you not releasing the comments on this page? No amount of brushing under the carpet is going to make this look any better or hide the culpability of our liberals who were jumping up and down for his release.
ET your answer to yesterday's question in the editorial 'Should we release an Indian agent' has been answered. As much as you tried to raise doubts in your editorial about his conviction, the evidence was always there that he was an agent and should not be released. But then again it is always the favourite activity of this newspaper and the liberals to accuse the army of every crime but whitewash everything related to Indians. His release and subsequent confession is only going to make things more worse for Pak Indian relations and increase the hostility we already feel towards India!
Hope ET is satisfied according to them he was innocent
AMAN KI ASHA ZINDABAD :D
Where are indian lovers now :P
Misleading....!!
Where did he say, he is a spy???
All along, he has maintained that he was not a spy..!!
This is one reason why we will never hand over Hafiz Saeed or anyone that India requests. They dont deserve to be helped in that way.
Where does he say he was spying?
He only said he was accused of spying. Why this misleading headline?
Kashmir Singh all over again.
Where are our attention seeking Aman Ki Tamasha Liberals who were jumping up and down and begging for his release?
I also say" “India should release Pakistani prisoners and Pakistan should release Indian prisoners,"
Thanks Surjeet, you just gave us a good reason as to why Sarabjit should stay put in Pakistan! Didnt expect him to throw his fellow indian under the bus with this confession.
It appears Pakistan authorities let him grow his beard in last twelve months. When Kashmir Singh was freed his beard was only a week old.