With the noose tightening around Sarabjit Singh, his sister plans to visit Pakistan to appeal to the relatives of those killed in the bomb blasts allegedly triggered by him.

"On Monday, we will apply for visas for Pakistan to meet the relatives of those killed in the blasts," Dalbir Kaur told reporters on Friday.

Asserting that Sarabjit was innocent, she apparently referred to Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid's recent statement, saying she would request the victims' relatives to pardon him.

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She has sought an audience with President A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday and urged External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh to strongly raise the issue of Sarabjit's release with his Pakistani counterpart during his upcoming visit to the neighbouring country.

She said she would also discuss the issue with former prime minister A B Vajpayee. She also appealed to the Indian intelligence agencies to come forward and reveal that 'Sarabjit is an innocent man and he has never worked for them. The government should base the whole case on the fact that it is a matter of mistaken identity'.

Asked about the 'security threat' on which Pakistan had earlier rejected to give her a visa, she said, "I do not think there is any threat to us as people there, including Salim Shaukat, the son of one of the bomb bast victims, also supported our cause and advocated mercy."

The Sarabjit Saga: complete coverage