India on Tuesday released 72 Pakistani prisoners, despite having been issued travel documents for 150 civilian prisoners by the Pakistan High Commission. The exchange follows release of 135 Indian prisoners by Pakistan on Monday.
Pakistan said it was 'saddened' over the lack of co-operation from the Indian side for not fulfilling the understanding reached between the two countries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told APP. A statement from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad said 'of the 72 prisoners being released, 48 are civilians imprisoned for various offences while 24 are fishermen.' Tasnim Aslam, however, said the two sides had an understanding also to release 48 fishermen before August 14.
The Pakistan High Commission from New Delhi said that India should have released 150 Pakistani civilian prisoners. Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Afrasiab told APP in New Delhi that India had failed to respond to request to specify the number of Pakistani civilian prisoners in Indian jails, who have completed their sentences and the charges levelled against them. He said documents have also been issued in respect of the detained persons in India by the Pakistan High Commission.
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