After 35 years in Pak prison, Indian set for release

AMRITSAR: Kashmir Singh, alias Ibrahim, can finally see his wish of wearing a suit when he meets his wife Paramjit Kaur after 35 years. The amnesty plea of the ex-Army man, who has been in Pakistani prisons for most part of his life, has been cleared by Islamabad. Talking to TOI over phone from Lahore on Thursday, Pakistan's federal minister for human rights Ansar Burney said President Pervez Musharraf has pardoned Kashmir Singh, and he is likely to be released by Saturday. "He is healthy and feels happy," Burney said. "He has expressed a desire to wear pant, shirt and a suit when he meets his wife Paramjit Kaur. I am hopeful President Pervez Musharraf would grant him amnesty, especially because it has been cleared by the Prime Minister. Kashmir has also wished that I accompany him when he is released." Singh was 30 when he was arrested in Pakistan on charges of espionage on June 16, 1973, and was sentenced to death. During his jail term, he adopted Islam and became Ibrahim. Kashmir has spent 14 years in Sahiwal jail, 10 in Multan jail and was there for varying periods in Miawali and Lahore jails. Burney said when he spotted Kashmir Singh in a "death cell" during one of his visits to the jail he was moved to know that the Indian was locked in an overcrowded cell for 23.5 hours a day and was allowed to go out for only 30 minutes so that he could stretch his legs. Told about the news, Paramjit Kaur told TOI, "I am dying to meet my husband. I have worked as a maid all through my life to bring up my children. Now I want someone to be with me." Kashmir Singh had joined the Indian Army on March 4, 1962, to possibly work as a spy in Pakistan from 1968 to 1970. In 1972, he joined the police department but never returned. The family came to know that he was in a Pakistan jail when they received a letter from him in 1977.