India releases 54 Pakistani prisoners

New Delhi, Dec 22: India today released 54 Pakistani prisoners, including three children and 30 fishermen, whose nationality had been confirmed by Islamabad, the External Affairs Ministry announced.

The government, however, expressed disappointment that Pakistan had not fulfilled its commitment and decided to release tomorrow only 50 Indian fishermen even though New Delhi had confirmed the nationality of 412 Indian fishermen in Pakistani custody.

The prisoners were released in pursuance of the decision taken at the Foreign Secretary-level talks held on November 14-15 to release by December 25 on hunmanitarian grounds.

The Ministry said India is prepared to release all the 61 Pakistani fishermen in its custody but confirmation of national status of the remaining 31 fishermen is still awaited.

''In pursuance of the decision taken at the Foreign Secretary talks between India and Pakistan on November 14-15 to release by December 25 on humanitarian grounds, all fishermen and prisoners who have completed their sentence and whose national status stands confirmed, India released today 24 Pakistani prisoners, along with three children, who were eligible for release, and 30 fishermen whose nationality had been confirmed by Pakistan,'' a statement issued by the Ministry said.

The statement said Pakistan had conveyed that it would release 20 Indian prisoners and 50 fishermen tomorrow.

It said India had confirmed the national status of 412 Indian fishermen but was disappointed that Pakistan had decided to release only 50 of them.

''It is unfortunate that Pakistan has chosen not to fulfil its commitment made last month on the release of fishermen and prisoners. The Government has conveyed its disappointment to Pakistani authorities and expressed the hope that it will release all fishermen and eligible prisoners,'' the statement added.

UNI

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