Times of India
 
NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Sarabjit Singh's fate seems to be sealed as a TV report suggests that the Pakistani authorities have issued a fresh death warrant.

Times Now report says that according to a new warrant, Sarabjit will be now hanged on the 1st of May at Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail. The warrant was issued on Thursday. ( Watch )

According to Rana Abdul Hameed, Sarabjit's lawyer, who is now the Additional Advocate General of Punjab, the black warrant was issued on Thursday, directing the jail superintendent to carry out the execution.

Times Now further quoted Hameed as saying that the execution was only postponed for a month on the request of the Indian government. It now appears the Pakistani authorities had decided to execute him despite repeated requests by his family for a pardon.

Rana said that the Pakistan President Musharraf had already rejected Sarabjit's mercy plea and there was no other remedy available if he had decided not to entertain India's request.

"Sarabjit should blame his plight on the indiscreet remarks of Kashmir Singh," Rana reportedly said, referring to the convicted Indian spy released earlier by Pakistani authorities who, once safe home in India, disclosed that he had indeed been a spy.

The development has come as a huge blow to Dalbir Kaur, Sarabjit Singh's sister, who had received an invitation to visit Pakistan and approval stamps on her passport.

The family, who got a green signal on Wednesday to visit Pakistan, is now busy preparing for the long-desired tour to meet Sarabjit.

Singh, who is lodged in a Lahore jail, was sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in 1990 serial blasts in Lahore and Multan. His hanging was, however, stayed till April 30 after the Indian government took up his case with the Pakistan authorities.