After languishing in a Pakistani jail for 31 years on charges of spying, an Indian national, Surjeet Singh, Thursday crossed over to his country from the border in the northern town of Wagah following his release by Islamabad.

A jubilant Singh said that Pakistan had treated him well during his stay in prison. "This is joy for me. I would be able to be united with my family after three decades and will hug my family members. I appeal to Pakistan to free more Indian prisoners," the 69-year-old told the media after entering India.

Talking about another Indian prisoner on death row for his alleged role in 1990 Lahore serial blasts, Sarabjit Singh, he said, "Sarabjit is keeping well. I kept meeting him in jail. The problem is that the Pakistani media is against him. I would do my best to help secure his release."

Singh, a native of the northern state of Punjab, was arrested in Pakistan in 1981 for allegedly spying for India. He was sentenced to death in 1989 but his death sentence was later commuted to life term. His release was ordered by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari earlier this week.