India-Pakistan pledge to fight terror, release fishermen by June 3

Islamabad, May 31 (UNI) India and Pakistan today pledged to take effective steps to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and release each other's fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose national status has been verified, by June 30.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the two-day third round of talks between their Home Secretaries, the two countries also agreed to exchange lists of remaining civilian prisoners by June 15 to facilitate consular access by July 31 and their subsequent release. They also agreed to the early release of inadvertent crossers, senior citizens and disabled persons, who are not involved in any specific cases.

The Indian side at the talks was led by Home Secretary V K Duggal while the Pakistani team was headed by Mr Syed Kamal Shah, Secretary in the Interior Ministry.

The joint statement said the talks were held in a frank, candid and cordial atmosphere. Mr Duggal and his delegation also called on Pakistan Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.

"Both sides reiterated their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and re-emphasised the need for effective steps for the complete elimination of this menace," the statement said. It said the two sides underlined the need to pursue effective and sustained action aainst the terrorists.

They welcomed the release of fishermen by each other on the eve of these talks. They also agreed to release the remaining fishermen by June 30.

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