Seven Pakistani Civil Prisoners Released By India
India has released seven Pakistani civil prisoners in custody and has also stressed the need to address early and full consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and Hamid Nehal Ansari, who are in Pakistan's custody. India has also urged Pak to address all humanitarian issues.
Following the release, The External Affairs Ministry has said that the release 300 Indian prisoners, including 295 fishermen, has been secured during 2017 so far.
The released Pakistani prisoners have completed their sentences and their nationality has been confirmed by Pakistani authorities. The men were repatriated to Pakistan via Attari/Wagah, the ministry said in a statement to the press. They were lodged in various Indian jails and transit camps.
"The government of India attaches the highest importance to addressing all humanitarian matters, including early and full consular access to all Indian nationals in Pakistan's custody, including Jadhav and Ansari and secure their early release and repatriation," MEA said.
Jadhav who is in Pakistan's custody after the Pakistani authorities claimed to have arrested him last year from the restive Baluchistan region and alleged that he was involved in terror activities.
India, however, has maintained its stand that the former Navy officer had been kidnapped from Iran, where he was present for business.
India has also moved the International Court of Justice against the death sentence given to Jadhav by a Pakistani army court. The court has stayed the execution pending a final verdict by it.
The Pakistan HC in New Delhi has worked closely with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for the release of these prisoners.
Prisoners Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Hanif, Abdul Sameer, Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Imran, Ejaz Ahmad, Muhammad Saleem, were repatriated to Pakistan in the presence of officials of Pak High Commission.
The release also comes a day after Donald Trump announced his new strategy for South Asia and has asked Pak to do more about tackling terrorist “safe heavens”.
"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens," the president said. "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our efforts in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists.” Trump said in his speech yesterday.
