New Delhi: In a goodwill gesture on the
eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, India Friday announced the release of 85
Pakistani prisoners, most of them fishermen lodged in
various jails in the country.
"On September 9, orders have been issued releasing 58
fishermen lodged in Gujarat jails, subject to issue of travel
documents by Pakistan authorities," a statement released by
the Union Home Ministry said.
Apart from them, seven prisoners each from Punjab and
Jammu and Kashmir respectively, one from Rajasthan and two
from Delhi are also being released. Three other prisoners
lodged in Gujarat jails would also be repatriated.
The Pakistani government has intimated a list of 43
fishermen.
"However, only seven of them could be cleared for
release at the moment. Release order in respect of these
seven persons has been issued.
"However, due to logistic issues, Pakistan government
has indicated that they would be able to receive them only on
September 15. Therefore, it has been decided that apart from
seven fishermen, three other prisoners lodged in Gujarat jails
would also be repatriated on September 15," Home Ministry
said.
It said the Gujarat government has been advised to
move the appropriate court in respect of 55 Pakistani
fishermen facing trial, so that the cases against them could
be withdrawn and they could be repatriated to Pakistan.
The prisoners from Punjab, J&K, Rajasthan and
Delhi would also be repatriated on September 15 at
Attari-Wagah border.
Indian government has released 128 prisoners and
repatriated them to Pakistan via Attari this year.
With the fresh orders, a total of 213 Pakistani
prisoners will be released in the calendar year 2010.
On September 6, a group of 141 Indian fishermen were
released by Pakistani authorities from a jail in the southern
port city of Karachi, completing the process of freeing 442
fishermen who have completed their prison terms.
PTI
