Pakistan asks India to release its nationals

Islamabad, July 4: Pakistan on Friday called upon India to release all of its nationals who have already completed sentences but are still languishing in Indian jails.

The foreign ministry said currently 477 Pakistani prisoners (346 civil prisoners and 131 fishermen) still remain lodged in Indian jails, Xinhua reported.

"Out of these, 22 civil prisoners have completed sentence and await repatriation," a ministry statement said.

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

India Friday released nine Pakistani prisoners (four civil prisoners and five fishermen).

Earlier, India released 37 Pakistani prisoners (five civil prisoners and 32 fishermen) May 30.

On May 26, as a goodwill gesture, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed that 151 Indian prisoners (one civil prisoner and 150 fishermen) be released.

At present, 296 Indian nationals are detained in Pakistan, who include 47 civil prisoners and 249 fishermen.

The foreign ministry said Pakistan has always held that the issue of prisoners in the respective countries is a humanitarian one and should be taken in that spirit.

IANS