Badal, Amarinder hail Pak decision to release Sarabjit

In a statement, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal thanked President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari for the decision and said this "goodwill gesture would further boost the congenial ties between the two countries."

"The release of Sarbjit Singh would give further impetus to the ongoing confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan for strengthening the bonds of friendship, amity, peace and brotherhood amongst the people of India and Pakistan," the Chief Minister said.

He also congratulated Sarbjit's family members, especially his sister, for mobilizing support for the release of her brother not only within the country but in Pakistan also.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Amarinder Singh said the Pakistan Presidential pardon for Sarbjit Singh was "really a goodwill gesture" that will "further strengthen the mutual trust and confidence between the people of the two countries".