Pakistan government denies Sarabjit Singh's counsel Awais Sheikh to meet him in jail

AMRITSAR: Pakistan government has denied Sarabjit Singh's counsel Awais Sheikh to meet him in Kot Lakhpat jail where he is lodged for past more than two decades.
Sheikh who was in India in recent past had taken with him letters from relatives of Sarabjit Singh besides eatables and toiletries to deliver him in the jail. While talking to TOI on Monday Sheikh said that on September 1st he had submitted an application to Home Secretary seeking permission to meet Sarabjit in jail and deliver messages, goods and personal belongings given by his family.
He said "To my surprise, I have been denied permission to meet him. It has been mentioned in the order that no interview could be allowed under rules since there is no judicial proceedings pending before court". He informed that he had been meeting his client Sarabjit Singh in jail since July 2009 by the orders of High Court which states that "If the petitioner moves an application to Home Secretary, he shall be allowed meeting with the condemned prisoner in accordance with rules'.
Irritated over Home Secretary's orders Sheikh said the orders of Home Secretary amounts to contempt of court and he would file a writ petition challenging the orders. Back home Pak government's decision has come as a big blow for the family members of Sarabjit Singh here who are pining hopes on visiting Pakistan in near future to meet Sarabjit Singh.
"I don't understand why Sheikh has been denied permission, the decision could also have bearings on our visit and meeting with Sarabjit Singh" said Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh. She informed that already Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had denied them visa to visit Pakistan. "We had applied for visa in May and are still waiting "she said. Sarabjit's wife Sukhpreet Kaur said "I fear that this decision may not eclipse our meeting, Pakistan government should have allowed Sheikh to meet my husband on humanitarian grounds" she said.