Nearly 500 Indians, including 437 fishermen, are currently lodged in various jails in Pakistan, a top aide to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said.
Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, told Parliament on Friday that there were 491 Indian prisoners, including 437 fishermen and 54 other civilians, in jails across Pakistan.He said nine of detainees were already set free and there is proposal to release another 73 Indian fishermen. Aziz said the latest list given by India on July 1 under Consular Agreement showed that there are 386 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will release 367 Indian prisoners next week to send a positive message to its neighbour amid high tension due to firing on the line of Control, Pakistani sources said on Saturday.The two sides are trying to ease pressure on the loC after about two weeks of ceasefire violations that started after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops early this month.