Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf on Monday granted "special remission" to Pakistani prisoners using his powers of pardon, except those convicted for murder, espionage and terrorism.
The remission comes just days after Indian national Sarabjit Singh, condemned to death for his alleged involvement in four bomb blasts in Pakistan, sent a mercy petition to Musharraf.
These are the categories of charges under which Sarabjit has been sentenced to death.
An official announcement in Islamabad said Musharraf has granted remission to certain category of Pakistani prisoners exercising his power under Article 45 of the Constitution.
Musharraf took the decision on the advise of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in connection with the "auspicious occasion of Pakistan Day," which was celebrated on March 23.
"Special remission of 90 days to the prisoners convicted for life imprisonment except those convicted for murder, espionage, anti-state activities, sectarianism, Zina (Islamic law), robbery, dacoity, kidnapping, abduction and terrorist acts," the announcement said.
The exercise of powers under Article 45 of the Constitution to grant remission was good news for Singh after some Pakistani Ministers argued that President has no powers to pardon.
However, the omission of categories like those accused of murder, espionage and terrorism appeared ominous for Sarabjit as he has been convicted by the Supreme Court under the relevant articles covering all three categories.
Besides being accused of an Indian spy, Sarabjit has been charged with murder and acts of terrorism for four bomb blasts in different places in Pakistan's Punjab province in 1990 in which 14 persons were killed and several injured.
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