NEW DELHI: India made a humanitarian appeal to Pakistan on Monday to free grievously wounded death row convict Sarabjit Singh as rightwing parties and their sympathetic TV channels demanded unspecified tough action against Islamabad for the prison attack on the Indian inmate.

“Based on the most recent medical bulletin put out by doctors treating Shri Sarabjit Singh it is clear that his condition remains critical,” a statement by the Indian foreign ministry said.

The ministry said it shared the anguish and concern of his family members, and that its prayers will remain with them. “In view of the recent tragic events and present circumstances, we once again appeal to the government of Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case, and release Sarabjit Singh,” the statement said.

Officials of the Indian High Commission are in touch with the medical authorities at Jinnah Hospital Lahore, “and we would like to consider the option of transferring Shri Sarabjit Singh to India so that he can benefit from the best medical treatment available here”.

The statement reiterated India’s demand that the attack on Singh be “thoroughly investigated to identify those who were responsible and to ensure that they are punished”.

It is the responsibility of the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody, the statement said.

Sarabjit sustained several injuries, including a skull fracture, when six prisoners reportedly attacked him in Kot Lakhpat Jail on Friday and doctors have said his chances of survival were slim.

He was hit on the head with bricks and grievously injured with sharp weapons. He is in a deep coma and on ventilator support in an intensive care unit of Jinnah Hospital.

He was convicted of alleged involvement in a string of bomb attacks in Punjab province that killed 14 people in 1990.

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