Pakistani PM Decides Release Of 51 Indian Fishermen As Goodwill Gesture

Islamabad, May 18, IRNA – Pakistan interim Prime Minister, Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, has decided to release 51 Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds as a gesture of goodwill, the Prime Minister’s office said Friday. These prisoners have already served their sentences, a statement from the PM office said. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Indian Government will reciprocate the gesture and release the Pakistani prisoners incarcerated in Indian jails. Pakistan and India routinely arrest fishermen after they crossed the maritime boundaries for fishing. Pakistan and India have not succeeded to determine water boundaries despite holding series of dialogue on the issuer. The Prime Minister was informed by senior officials at a meeting that presently 482 Indian prisoners were in Pakistani jails whereas 496 Pakistanis were in Indian jails. He was further informed that the government of Pakistan was awaiting the confirmation of national status of other Indian prisoners, the statement said. Khoso directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate dialog with India for the release of Pakistani prisoners and return of Indian prisoners. The decision was taken at a high level meeting attended by Federal Minister for Law, Ahmer Bilal Sufi, Chief Minister Sindh province, Zahid Qurban Alvi and senior officials of the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice and PM’s Secretariat. The decision came days after tensions between the uneasy neighbors following the attacks in jails on an Indian and a Pakistani prisoner. Both later died of wounds. Rights groups in both countries complain of mistreatment of prisoners in both countries./end