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I am a compassionate man: Musharraf

Decision to be made after considering all legal aspects of Sarabjit case

— PHOTO: PTI

TENSE MOMENTS: Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, being consoled by a friend while watching television to hear Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's statement on Sarabjit.

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has said that he was "a man of compassion" and would take a decision about Sarabjit Singh, an alleged Indian spy sentenced to death, after looking into the legal aspects of his case.

In an interview to AP, Gen. Musharraf said Sarabjit had "carried out terrorist attacks and killed people here" but the President added he would study the case.

"One has to take the decision in a deliberate manner," he said. "It needs to come to me with all its legal implications, then only will I take a decision. But I am basically a person who shows compassion and mercy."

Sarabjit, who Pakistan claims is Manjit Singh, has been sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in the 1990 bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan. His family denies he was a RAW agent as claimed by Pakistan and insists he strayed accidentally into Pakistani territory while farming.

PM likely to raise issue

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh said the Sarabjit issue was likely to be raised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with President Pervez Musharraf when they meet in New York on September 14. "I hope the issue will be discussed when the Prime Minister meets President Musharraf on September 14," Mr. Natwar Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function.

— AP, PTI

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