Sarabjit (49) suffered critical head injuries in the assault. He was attacked by 4-5 prisoners with bricks and plates at the Kot Lakhpat Jail. A separate room has been temporarily converted into the ICU for his exclusive treatment.
"No surgery can be performed till his condition stabilises," a source said. According to the sources, the next 24 hours would be crucial for Sarabjit, who is currently on ventilator support.
Two Indian High Commission officials went to meet Sarabjit in the ICU of Jinnah Hospital this morning. "The officials of India's High Commission in Islamabad obtained access to Sarabjit in the ICU of Jinnah hospital, Lahore at 2:00 am," said External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said.
"Doctors attending to Sarabjit Singh informed the Indian officials that he is in coma on ventilator and receiving IV drip," he added.
The Indian mission had contacted Pakistan's Foreign Office last night to seek consular access.
Indian High Commission officials were in regular contact with the Medical Board attending to Sarabjit.
On the other hand, Sarabjit's family wanted to leave for Pakistan immediately to take care of him.
Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, who has been spearheading the campaign for his release from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat prison, and his wife and two daughters, arrived here on Saturday morning from their hometown Bhikhiwind, 50 km from here.
