India to release Pakistan prisoners next week
PTI
Twenty-nine Pakistani prisoners and some fishermen lodged in Indian jails will be released by the government by April 15.
In a similar gesture, Islamabad is expected to release nearly 100 Indian fishermen, who were arrested on different occasions for violating Pakistan's maritime boundary.
The step by both sides is a follow up to the recently concluded Home Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan and an attempt to give a fresh impetus to their bilateral relations.
"We have decided to release those prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences," a government official said.
A complete list of all prisoners serving in each others' custody will be exchanged by both sides on July 1.
At the Home Secretary-level meeting, India and Pakistan had agreed that the problem and issues of the inadvertent crossers should be viewed sympathetically, and in a focused and sensitive manner.
The Coast Guard of India and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) will soon jointly work on setting up a mechanism for release of fishermen, who inadvertently cross the maritime boundary, and their boats on the same lines as those who unknowingly do the same on land.
There is a proposal to let off first-time offenders after warning them and taking their photographs and fingerprints.
However, a decision in this regard is yet to be taken.
Last Thursday, Pakistani authorities arrested 10 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary and also seized three boats.
A total of 61 Indian fishermen were arrested by the PMSA for allegedly fishing in Pakistani waters last month.
On April 7, Gopal Dass, who spent 27 years in a Pakistani jail after being convicted on charges of spying, returned home after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari remitted his sentence on humanitarian grounds following an appeal by the Indian Supreme Court.
Islamabad had recently repatriated 12 Indian prisoners, including 11 fishermen who had been held in a jail in Karachi for nearly three years even after completing their prison terms.
Another 442 Indian fishermen were freed last year after two Pakistani NGOs petitioned the Supreme Court for their release.
Pakistan and India arrest dozens of fishermen every year for violating their maritime boundary. Many of them languish in prison for years even after completing jail terms given to them.
(THE HINDU)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Twenty-nine Pakistani prisoners and some fishermen lodged in Indian jails will be released by the government by April 15.
In a similar gesture, Islamabad is expected to release nearly 100 Indian fishermen, who were arrested on different occasions for violating Pakistan's maritime boundary.
The step by both sides is a follow up to the recently concluded Home Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan and an attempt to give a fresh impetus to their bilateral relations.
"We have decided to release those prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences," a government official said.
A complete list of all prisoners serving in each others' custody will be exchanged by both sides on July 1.
At the Home Secretary-level meeting, India and Pakistan had agreed that the problem and issues of the inadvertent crossers should be viewed sympathetically, and in a focused and sensitive manner.
The Coast Guard of India and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) will soon jointly work on setting up a mechanism for release of fishermen, who inadvertently cross the maritime boundary, and their boats on the same lines as those who unknowingly do the same on land.
There is a proposal to let off first-time offenders after warning them and taking their photographs and fingerprints.
However, a decision in this regard is yet to be taken.
Last Thursday, Pakistani authorities arrested 10 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary and also seized three boats.
A total of 61 Indian fishermen were arrested by the PMSA for allegedly fishing in Pakistani waters last month.
On April 7, Gopal Dass, who spent 27 years in a Pakistani jail after being convicted on charges of spying, returned home after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari remitted his sentence on humanitarian grounds following an appeal by the Indian Supreme Court.
Islamabad had recently repatriated 12 Indian prisoners, including 11 fishermen who had been held in a jail in Karachi for nearly three years even after completing their prison terms.
Another 442 Indian fishermen were freed last year after two Pakistani NGOs petitioned the Supreme Court for their release.
Pakistan and India arrest dozens of fishermen every year for violating their maritime boundary. Many of them languish in prison for years even after completing jail terms given to them.
(THE HINDU)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The first Indian in Murree?
Many people know that Murree and Shimla are 'mirror' hill stations on either side of the Radcliffe Line. But Sharmin Vohra may well be the first Indian visitor to Murree,
.....more
Many people know that Murree and Shimla are 'mirror' hill stations on either side of the Radcliffe Line. But Sharmin Vohra may well be the first Indian visitor to Murree,
.....more
Seven days in India
By: Fazil Jamili
"I wanted to tell the world that I am a Pakhtun, I am a Muslim, I am a Pakistani but I am not a terrorist. I want to tell the people that what the .....more
By: Fazil Jamili"I wanted to tell the world that I am a Pakhtun, I am a Muslim, I am a Pakistani but I am not a terrorist. I want to tell the people that what the .....more
Karwa karela
Menus don't change. I remember my grandfather telling us how, in the Govern .....more
The humble bitter gourd makes a tasty dish. Vasundhara Chauhan explains how
Menus don't change. I remember my grandfather telling us how, in the Govern .....more
Brief
One of the highlights of the visit to India of journalists from Karachi and Hyderabad at the invitation of the Pr .....more
Pakistani journalists meet Aamir Khan
One of the highlights of the visit to India of journalists from Karachi and Hyderabad at the invitation of the Pr .....more
"The rural poor welcomed me with open arms"
The poverty reduction model launc .....more
"Both India and Pakistan can benefit immensely from each other's experience in reducing poverty" - Shoaib Sultan Khan
The poverty reduction model launc .....more
In India, Iqbal re-visited
Taking Issue & Allah's Answer, the En .....more
Chintan Girish Modi reports on an English translation of Iqbal's poetry launched in Mumbai's Kitab Khana recently
Taking Issue & Allah's Answer, the En .....more
Page 45 of 175
Special Editions
more editions
The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
Blog
more
For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
Global Media
Comments