India releases 7 Pakistani prisoners in goodwill gesture

In a goodwill gesture, India today released seven Pakistani civilian prisoners, taking the total number of jailed inmates repatriated to the neighbouring country in the last one week to 21.

Pakistan also freed 30 Indian prisoners, including 27 fishermen, who were languishing in jails in that country.

The release of the prisoners by the two countries came days before the swearing-in of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan as the country's new prime minister.


"Seven Pakistan civilian prisoners were repatriated today. Earlier, 14 Pakistani fishermen were released and repatriated on August 7," the ministry of external affairs said.

It said India attaches high priority to addressing humanitarian issues including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan's custody. The MEA said Pakistan has released a total of 178 Indian prisoners in the current year.

Imran Khan is scheduled to take oath on August 18. The PTI emerged as the single largest party in the July 25 elections in Pakistan.

Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border between the two countries in the Arabian Sea.

The two countries usually release each other's prisoners ahead of their Independence Day celebrations.