29 September 2005 :

the Imam of New Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Abdullah Bukhari and his son Syed Yahaya Bukhari, who is the President of the Jama Masjid United Front, appealed to Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf to release Indian death row inmate Sarabjit Singh on humanitarian grounds.
Syed Yahaya Bukhari met Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner in India Munawar Saeed Bhatti and handed him over a letter addressed to President Musharraf in this regard. In his letter, citing the ongoing peace process among the two countries, Bukhari said," We do not want to go in detail, whether he (Sarabjit) is guilty or not, we appeal to you to release him on the humanatarian grounds." "My father (Syed Abdullah Bukhari) also wishes you to take this kind step, which will be a proud moment for Indian Muslims," Bukhari said.
Earlier, on September 4, the prime witness in the Sarabjit case, Shaukat Ali of Lahore, turned hostile. He, admitted that he lied on the behest of the Government's advocate and blamed Sarabjit Singh, a resident of Punjab's Bhikiwind village, for being involved in a bomb blast case which took place in Lahore 15 years ago. "Fifteen years ago I was a student of ninth standard. I saw Sarabjit Singh in the Court at the first time. The lawyer asked me to recognise Sarabjit Singh as the culprit. I did just that. I don't know whether he is guilty or not," said Shaukat Ali, in a private interview given to Aaj Tak channel.