Prime Minister Justice (r) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Friday ordered the release 51 Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds as a gesture of goodwill. These prisoners have already served their sentences.
The decision was taken at a high level meeting attended by Federal Minister for Law Ahmer Bilal Sufi, Sindh Chief Minister Justice (r) Zahid Qurban Alvi and senior officials of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice ministries and PM’s secretariat.
The prime minister expressed the hope that the Indian government would reciprocate the gesture and release the Pakistani prisoners incarcerated in Indian jails.
The prime minister was informed that currently 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 prime minister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate dialogue with India for the release of Pakistani prisoners and return of Indian prisoners.