Pakistan rules out swapping Sarabjit

Pakistan today ruled out swapping Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death for allegedly spying, with some of the Pakistani prisoners housed in Indian jails, saying they were not spies.

"We do not have any spies in India and all the 587 prisoners released on Monday by both the countries at the Wagah border were civilians and not security prisoners," Foreign office spokesman Naeem Khan told reporters in Islamabad replying to a question whether Pakistan would swap Singh with any of its 'spies' imprisoned in India.

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Pakistan on Monday released 435 prisoners while India set free 152 Pakistani prisoners at the Wagah border. Khan also played down media reports that Sarabjit's family members have been barred from visiting Pakistan.

He said he has cross-checked reports that Islamabad has decided not to issue visas to Sarabjit's family to visit him in the Kot Lahpath prison near Lahore with the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi.

He said the high commission has informed him that the family members have not been approached for visas. Their visas will be processed as per rules when they apply to visit Pakistan, he said.