ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari granted a presidential pardon to Sarabjit Singh on Tuesday, hence forfeiting his death sentence, awarded to him in 1990. The death penalty has been converted into life imprisonment.

Sarabjit has remained in prison since 1990, when he was given death sentence under Pakistan' s Army Act for alleged involvement in a series of bomb blasts carried within Lahore and Multan that resulted in fourteen casualties. Sarabjit was also convicted of being an Indian spy.

Sarabjit had regularly maintained his stance that he was not involved in the activities and the Pakistani enforcement authorities had mistaken him for some Manjeet Singh, the main culprit of the 1990 Punjab bombings.

President Zardari's pardon has come after the prisoner sent his fifth mercy plea seeking clemency.

The summary for the release of Singh has been forwarded to the Interior Ministry. President Zardari, in the summary, has issued the orders for immediate release of Sarabjit Singh.

According to President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar, Singh would most likely be released from prison next week since he has already served his term in prison. The release orders would be officially issued following clearance from the Interior Ministry.

Federal Law Minister, Farooq Naek has quashed the statement of releasing Singh by next week, instead, the Law Minister has added that Singh should be released immediately.

"It would totally unlawful to keep the prisoner for even one day, because the prisoner has already completed his prison term and it would be unlawful to keep him in jail," stated Naek.

Pak-India peace promoters have lauded President Zardari's decision and have deemed it to act as a major thrust in improving Pak-India ties. Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna thanked President Zardari for the gesture.

Earlier, the Indian government had released scientist Dr. Khalil Chishti from Ajmer jail on April 11.