Lahore/Chandigarh (November 8, 2012): According to a statement released on website of “Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Punjab (India)” Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal made an appeal to Pakistan-Punjab Chief Minister Janab Shahbaz Sharif to persuade his federal government to take positive steps for early release of Sarabjit Singh and other Indian prisoners lodged in Pak Jails.
“In a communiqué handed over to Janab Sharif, Mr. Badal said that people of Punjab and all Punjabis had very high hopes on his visit to Pakistan and they were eagerly awaiting positive outcome especially on Indian prisoners’ issue.
He said that both Punjabs’ had taken very credible steps in normalizing and strengthening trade & commerce ties and the positive gesture of Pakistan on Sarabjit and other Indian prisoners would have a lasting impact on Indo-Pak ties” reads the statement.
According to certain media reports Sukhbir Badal, who is currently on a visit to Pakistan, has also sought an early decision on opening a corridor from Indian side to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. He raised this
“He also sought a positive decision on handing over the management and control of Gurudwaras located in Pakistan to Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC)” reports Jagran Post.
He reportedly made these requests when he called on Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on November 09, 2012 at Lahore.
It is notable that SGPC is a statutory body elected by Sikhs residing in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh and Chandigarh regions of India. It is entrusted with management of Historic Sikh Gurudwaras situated in these territories.