New Delhi/Islamabad, May 30 (IANS) India Friday released 37 Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian jails, reciprocating the gesture made by the Pakistani government earlier. The Pakistani prisoners, including 32 fishermen, have reached home.
An Indian official confirmed in New Delhi that India has released 37 Pakistani prisoners.
The Pakistan ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement in Islamabad that India had released 37 Pakistani prisoners, including five civil prisoners and 32 fishermen.
It said that 484 Pakistani prisoners, including 348 civil (prisoners) and 136 fishermen, still remain lodged in Indian jails. Out of these, 25 civil prisoners have completed their sentence and await repatriation, the Pakistan foreign ministry said.
The Pakistani government hoped that all prisoners who have completed their sentences would be released by India.
On Sunday, Pakistan released on humanitarian grounds 151 Indian prisoners ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as India’s 14th prime minister.