Pak students protest move to pardon Sarabjit

NO MERCY: Students say if Sarabjit is released, they will launch a movement against the government.

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Lahore: Amidst appeals for clemency for Sarabjit Singh by his family and human rights activists, hundreds of students in Lahore, Pakistan took to the streets demanding that the Indian death row prisoner not be pardoned.

The students marched in the city yesterday and sought withdrawal of all official moves to pardon Sarabjit, sentenced to death for alleged involvement in the 1990 blasts in Punjab province. They also said he should not be made a "hero".

The demonstrators termed former Pakistani human rights minister Ansar Burney, who has sent a mercy petition on behalf of Sarabjit to President Pervez Mushrraf, an "Indian agent", The News daily reported on Saturday.

The students said if Sarabjit is released, they would launch a joint movement against the government.

The demands were made by student leaders while addressing a conference outside Lahore Press Club. They also protested against an anti-Quran movie by a Dutch lawmaker.

Tulaba Jamaatud Dawah Chief, Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi, demanded that Burney should be arrested and tried for treason. He said the release of Sarabjit would "humiliate" the whole nation.

Holding banners and placards, the students shouted slogans and blocked roads. Their leaders also demanded a boycott of western products and culture and promotion of Islamic teachings.

Sarabjit's April 1 hanging was deferred for 30 days by President Pervez Musharraf. His family, which is in Pakistan currently, is seeking clemency for the condemned man.