Amidst appeals for clemency for Sarabjit Singh by his family and human rights activists, hundreds of students in Lahore took to the streets demanding that the Indian death row prisoner not be pardoned.
The students marched in the city on Friday and sought withdrawal of all official moves to pardon Sarabjit, sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in the 1990 blasts in Punjab province. They also said that he should not be made a hero.
The demonstrators termed former Pakistani human rights minister Ansar Burney, who has sent a mercy petition on behalf of Sarabjit to President Pervez Mushrraf, an Indian agent.
The students said that if Sarabjit is released, they would launch a joint movement against the government. The demands were made by student leaders, while addressing a conference, outside the Lahore Press Club.
Tulaba Jamaatud Dawah chief Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi demanded that Burney should be arrested and tried for treason. He added that the release of Sarabjit would humiliate the whole nation. Holding banners and placards, the students shouted slogans and blocked roads.
Their leaders also demanded a boycott of western products and culture and promotion of Islamic teachings.
Sarabjit's April one hanging was deferred for 30 days by President Pervez Musharraf. His family, which is in Pakistan currently, is seeking clemency for the condemned man.