India releases 38 Pak civilian prisoners, Pak backtracks

New Delhi, June 30 (UNI) India today released 38 Pakistani civilian prisoners while Pakistan released only 19 Indians but no Indian fisherman even though India has confirmed the nationality of 240 fishermen.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said India released 38 civilian prisoners via Wagah and the remaining civilian prisoners, whose national status had been confirmed by Pakistan, are either under trial or have not completed their sentences.

The spokesman expressed disappointment that no Indian fisherman was released today by Pakistan despite the understanding reached between the two countries on May 31 and even though India had confirmed the national status of 240 fishermen.

''We are disappointed to note that the 240 fishermen whose national status has already been confirmed were not released today despite the understanding between the Home Secretary of India and the Interior Secretary of Pakistan. We have been informed by Pakistan authorities that 20 fishermen were to reach Wagah today but were delayed due to a breakdown of their vehicle. While we await their return, we would like to reiterate that all 240 Indian fishermen should be released in accordance with the understanding reached on May 31,'' the spokesman said.

He said that India is also awaiting consular access to 118 civilian prisoners and 192 fishermen and hoped that Pakistan would facilitate this by July 31 in keeping with the understanding of May 31.

India has already released all 59 Pakistani fishermen in its custody on May 29.

This was done in pursuance of the understanding reached between the two countries during the Home Secretary-level talks in Islamabad on May 30-31 within the framework of the third round of the Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) to release fishermen and civilian prisoners whose national status has been confirmed and who have completed their sentences, There are 30 Pakistani fishermen currently in Indian custody who were arrested in the first week of June.

''We will provide consular access to them on July 13 in terms of the understanding during the Home Secretary-level talks. India has also scheduled consular access to the remaining Pakistani civilian prisoners on dates from July 10-28,'' the spokesman added.

MORE UNI RB HS RAI2038