ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to release 360 Indian prisoners on humanitarian basis upon completion of their sentences from Monday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal while addressing the weekly news briefing here on Friday said there are five hundred and thirty seven Indian prisoners in Pakistan serving their sentences.
Of these, 483 are fishermen and 54 civilians.Giving breakup of the release, the Foreign Office spokesperson said one hundred fishermen will be released on Monday with another batch of hundred fishermen on fifteenth of this month.
It will be followed by release of additional one hundred fishermen on 22nd of the current month. Dr Mohammad Faisal said the last batch of 60 Indian prisoners, comprising 5 fishermen and 55 civilians, will be set free on 29th of this month.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said 347 Pakistani prisoners are incarcerated in Indian jails, which comprise 249 civilians and 98 fishermen. He expressed optimism that India will reciprocate Pakistan's goodwill gesture.
He regretted that India postponed the Kartapur meeting earlier this week which was crucial in moving forward. He said Indian side has expressed willingness to attend a technical level meeting on the issue on 15th and 16th of this month, which will hopefully set the pace for further talks.
He reiterated Pakistan's commitment that it will complete its side of Kartarpur Corridor before the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak later this year.
Replying to a question, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan will never accept the repeal of Article 370 of the Indian constitution which guarantees special status for Jammu and Kashmir. He said Kashmiri people will also not allow this to happen ever. Besides violating the rights of Kashmiris, it will also contravene the relevant UNSC resolutions.
To another query, he said the issue of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav is in international court of justice. He said India has yet to give any reply to our question of Jadhav's passport.
When asked about the US approval of selling anti-submarine helicopters to India, the Foreign Office spokesperson termed it an alarming development and said the move will accelerate arms race in the region.
He said Pakistan wants to work for peace but it is not oblivious to its defense either. To another question, Dr Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan is taking various steps under National Action Plan in its own interest.
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