A demonstrator holds a placard during a hunger strike by Sarabjit Singh's family members demanding Singh's release from a Pakistani prison, in New Delhi May 17, 2011.
A demonstrator holds a placard during a hunger strike by Sarabjit Singh's family members demanding Singh's release from a Pakistani prison, in New Delhi May 17, 2011.Reuters

A day after the brutal attack in Pakistan's Lahore jail, Sarbjit Singh's condition remained critical needing ventilator support.

His family, to reach Pakistan on Sunday, were granted 'gratis' visa for a duration of 15 days by the Pakistan High Commission. Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, wife Sukhpreet Kaur, and daughters Poonam, Swapandeep Kaur will meet the Indian prisoner.

Speaking about his present condition, Pakistan government released an official statement saying, "As a result of a scuffle between prisoners at the Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore, yesterday, Sarabjit suffered head injuries which rendered him unconscious. Doctors and medical staff at the hospital are working round-the-clock to revive the prisoner, who remains unconscious and on a ventilator."

Sarabjit's lawyer informed, "He is in coma and is critical. 60 per cent of his brain is damaged... his backbone is broken."

The prisoner's condition will be monitored closely in the next 24 hours which are crucial for him given the degree of his injury, reported Pakistani media.

Meanwhile, Sarabajit's family has alleged a conspiracy on the brutal assault.

"It was an attempt to murder my father. It was all planned because in the morning we were hearing that the authorities of jail were saying that he has been attacked while shifting the barrack but now the authorities are saying that he's been attacked in his barrack only. We are unable to understand what they want to say. It shows that it was already planned and authorities were also involved," Swapandeep told NDTV.

"My father told us he was being threatened from Pakistan after Afzal Guru's hanging. He feared for his life... We had told the Home Minister and the Minister of External Affairs... no action was taken." 

Incidentally, another Indian prisoner Chamel Singh was tormented to death in January in the same prison. 

Amer Aftab and Mudassar, the two prisoners accused of carrying out the murderous attack, have been booked under Sections 324 (attempted murder) and 334 (causing severe injuries) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Sarabjit was injured after inmates in Kot Lakhpat Jail battered him with bricks and a ghee tin on the head and neck.