Shiekh was accompanied by Sarabjit Singh's sister Dalbir Kaur and daughter Swapandeep Kaur. He also presented to Badal the Hindi version of his book titled 'Samjhota Express' on India-Pakistan relations.

Assuring Sheikh and Sarabjit's family of all possible help, Badal said, 'I have already taken up this matter with Manmohan Singh and with the Ministry of External Affairs to secure the release of Sarabjit.'

Sarabjit's family claims he had crossed into Pakistan inadvertently in Aug 1990 in an inebriated state and was arrested there.

But police in Pakistan claim Sarabjit, who has been languishing in Pakistani jails for over 19 years, was involved in acts of terrorism. He has been convicted for two bombings in Lahore and Multan that left 14 people dead and many injured in 1990.