Pakistan to release 360 Indian prisoners on ‘humanitarian basis’

Lahore: Pakistan has decided to release 360 Indian prisoners on ‘humanitarian basis’ upon completion of their sentences from April 8.

According to reports in Pakistani newspaper Dawn, of the 360 prisoners that are going to be released, 355 are fishermen and 5 are cilvilians.

Dawn also reported that Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said that in the first phase on 8 April, 100 prisoners will be released. In the second phase on 15 April, another 100 will be released. In the third phase on 22 April, another 100 will be released and in the fourth and last phase on 29 April, the remaining 60 prisoners will be released.

Due to the absence of a clear maritime border in the Arabian sea, both India and Pakistan arrest fishermen for entering each other's borders. Most of these fishermen do not have access to the technology that will help them know their precise locations.

Most prisoners remain in jail due to lengthy and slow legal procedures in both countries.

"It is hoped that India will respond positively to this decision by Pakistan," Faisal told the media in his weekly briefing in Islamabad.