Sarabjit's kin fail to get an audience with Gilani

CHANDIGARH: It was not fans alone who were seen outside Hotel Taj a few hours before the start of the semi-final match between arch rivals India and Pakistan to catch a glimpse of their favourite cricketers, but the family members of Sarabjit Singh too, who is facing a death sentence in Pakistan. They were standing among the crowd, but their objective was different.The sister and daughter of Sarabjit were there to have an audience with Pakistan prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to request him to help in Sarabjit’s release, but they were not allowed to enter the hotel.
It has been 21 years that Sarabjit was convicted for his alleged involvement in bomb attacks in Pakistan in 1990.
Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur and elder daughter Swapandeep Kaur had came to Chandigarh from Amritsar after they heard about Gilani's visit to the city for the semi-final match. They had pinned their hopes on meeting the Pakistan premier but their hopes were dashed as security personnel did not allow them to enter the high security hotel, where Gilani was staying.
After waiting for a good three to four hours, both Dalbir and Swapandeep, looked crestfallen as they could not get an audience with the Pakistan prime minister.
“The cricket match is being seen as a step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries, but releasing the people from languishing in jails in both India and Pakistan is a much more effective way to strengthen the bond,” said Dalbir in a choked voice.
Meanwhile, police officials stated that they could only allow the two to go inside the hotel if someone on behalf of Pakistan prime minister agreed to their meeting him. Both the women waited for hours while Gilani was present inside the hotel along with other delegates from Pakistan. Later, tears rolled down Dalbir's cheeks as the prime minister and the delegates left for the PCA stadium in Mohali to watch the semi-final clash between India and Pakistan, while Dalbir and Swapandeep were consoled by a female sub-inspector.