Sarabjit may get reprieve if India releases prisoners

POSSIBLE REPRIEVE: Pak govt sources say that India should reciprocate with the release of Pakistani prisoners.

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New Delhi: In less than two weeks Sarabjit Singh will hang, unless he wins a reprieve.

Media reports quoting legal experts suggest that a reprieve even at this late stage is possible but it would require an appeal from the Indian Government if it is to have any effect on Pakistan.

India could also offer to hand over Pakistani spies and terrorists held in exchange for Sarabjit and other Indians.

But others believe the UPA government cannot afford to make an offer of this kind at a time when an election looks around the corner for it could lend weight to the BJP's criticism that the UPA is soft on terrorists.

Pakistan may not be inclined to hand over Sarabjit since he was convicted of four bomb attacks that killed 14 people in Lahore and Multan.

President Musharraf is also not likely to win any brownie points from either the public or the newly elected members of the National Assembly by pardoning Sarabjit.

In Islamabad, Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney plans to file an appeal for a pardon, while in Delhi Sarabjit's sister will make her desperate – and possibly, last - attempt to save her brother from the gallows.

The case will see parallel developments in Pakistan and India on Monday.