Pakistan asks India to reciprocate prisoners' release

Islamabad, Feb 16: Pakistan on Monday repatriated 173 Indian prisoners and hoped India will reciprocate by releasing from its jails all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences.

"It is our hope that the government of India would release all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on phone and informed him that he would soon send his top diplomat to Islamabad, raising hopes for the revival of stalled bilateral talks.

India cancelled talks with Pakistan in August last year to protest over a meeting of the Pakistani high commissioner in New Delhi with Kashmiri separatist leaders.

IANS