Pakistan to release 365 Indian prisoners on Saturday

Pakistan has decided to release 365 Indian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday.

They include 340 fishermen and 25 crew members of their boats, the Ministry said in a statement.

All the Indian prisoners have completed their jail term and would be sent to India through Wagah border on Saturday.

Eight juveniles are among the prisoners to be freed from the Youthful Offenders Industrial School in Karachi, officials say.

Pakistan will release Indian prisoners at a time when tension has increased between the two nuclear rivals over cross border shelling.

Exchange of fire along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region has claimed lives of soldiers on both sides.

Pakistan and India routinely arrest fishermen after they mistakenly cross other’s water.

There are no maritime boundaries and both countries have held series of talks but have not yet reached any agreement.

Officials say the prisoners will be set free from two Karachi jails. They will be brought to Lahore, the capital of Punjab province and will later handed over to Indian authorities on the border.

Pakistani authorities have already informed the Indian officials about the decision.

Officials say there are still hundreds of fishermen and other prisoners languishing in jails in both countries. Prisoners usually complain about mistreatment.

Advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs adviser, Sartaj Aziz, told the Parliament this month that Pakistan currently held 491 Indian prisoners, including 437 fishermen and 54 other civilians.

The Foreign Ministry says there are at least 485 Pakistanis jailed in India, including 172 fishermen and 313 other civilians. 

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Aug 22 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.